H.R. 8994 — Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings that music supports nearly 2 million American jobs and $150 billion in annual economic activity, that dominant online platforms distort licensing markets and profit from unlicensed uploads under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s notice-and-takedown system, and that independent music creators lack resources to negotiate fair rates or enforce their rights.

This section exempts Individual Music Creator Owners from liability under the antitrust laws for collectively negotiating music licensing terms or refusing to license with Dominant Online Music Distribution Platforms or generative artificial intelligence companies. It applies only when negotiations are nondiscriminatory, not limited to price, and limited to qualifying parties; Individual Music Creator Owners are defined as those earning less than $1 million in prior-year licensing revenues or qualifying as small businesses, while Dominant Platforms are those with over $100 million in annual music distribution revenues.