Nov. 15, 2016
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to appeal a ruling by BMI Rate Court Judge Louis Stanton who overturned DOJ’s interpretation of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees--where DOJ mandated the practice of 100% licensing. NSAI President, songwriter Lee Thomas Miller said:
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“I am disappointed by the Department of Justice’s decision to further pursue their unjust and irresponsible efforts to damage the livelihood of the American songwriter. I find it unconscionable that they will continue to attack us in pursuit of something that will only further help the streaming companies who are already destroying us by means of outdated federal laws. NSAI will fight this appeal as vigorously as we fought their unlawful, original ruling. We also stand firm on the assertion that the entire system is in dire need of reform. Songs are vital to every part of our culture and they DO NOT write themselves.”
