Despite massive changes in technology and the growth of the gig economy, copyright legislation in the United States has remained largely the same over the last twenty years.

That changed on October 11, 2018 when the Music Modernization Act became law.

After years of lobbying and compromises, the Act is sure to be one of the most substantial changes to copyright law in recent history. It seeks to bring copyright law in the music industry up-to-date with technological advances such as, streaming services, social media and satellite radio.

Its primary goal is to ensure that artists and others involved in the recording process are fairly compensated in light of new methods for listening to their creative works.

It is still unclear what the impact of the Music Modernization Act will be. If the impact is similar to the sweeping copyright legislation of 1998, then this Act will have far-reaching and unintended consequences beyond the music industry.

As the law changes to catch up with technology, it's more important than ever for business owners to understand the laws that impact their industries and to consult with attorneys to minimize liability. Businesses would be wise to take inventory of their intellectual property and confirm ownership to avoid copyright infringement exposure. Experienced counsel can help.

For more information, see my blog at www.bfvlaw.com.

As always, please let me know if I can help.

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