ASCAP Expo 2015: #StandWithSongwriters

MAM's La Jefa, Nan Wilson went to the ASCAP Expo April 30th to attend the keynote address by Paul Williams and Elizabeth Matthews.

The takeaway: support the Songwriter Equality Act!

We all need to contact our congressional reps ASAP to let them know we're all on board.

You can find more information here, and find out how to contact members directly here.

Show your support on social media with the hashtag #StandWithSongwriters.

In March, a federal court ruled set the license rate between ASCAP and Pandora at 1.85%.  ASCAP has since been appealing the ruling, aiming for a 3% rate.

Meanwhile, May 6th marked the end of a year-long battle between ASCAP, Pandora and The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals.  The outcome: Pandora keeps their licensing rate of 1.85%, and publishers must stick with their PRO's (no more trying to deal with Pandora directly).

"Powerful corporate interests, like Pandora, are determined to stand in the way of meaningful music licensing reform so that they may continue to shortchange songwriters,” said Matthews. “This is a wake up call for creators to stand together, get involved and fight for their right to be paid a fair market rate for the use of their works.”

If you couldn't make the Expo, you can still purchase the ASCAP EXPO Video Pass for $99.  All videos will be up until the end of 2015.