Bill · H.R. 8994· House(119-HR-8994)
Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/21/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Deborah Ross
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 aims to empower independent music creator owners to negotiate collectively with dominant online platforms. Currently, these creators face a power imbalance when negotiating the terms of their music distribution. This bill provides a safe harbor from antitrust laws for certain collective actions. It allows individuals or groups of musicians to negotiate licensing terms or collectively refuse to license their music to dominant platforms or generative artificial intelligence companies. This provision applies if the negotiations are nondiscriminatory and involve only specific eligible parties.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
Individual music creator owners are empowered to protect their business interests against large platforms.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The bill provides a legal safe harbor for small-scale music creators to negotiate more effectively against dominant platforms.
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?+6
The bill allows independent music creators to collectively negotiate terms, which functions similarly to union-style collective bargaining.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Empowerment of Independent Creators: The bill allows Individual Music Creator Owners to negotiate collectively rather than being forced to accept terms dictated by dominant platforms. (Section 3(b))
-
Negotiation with AI Companies: Creators can use collective negotiation or refusal to license their music against companies engaged in the development or deployment of generative artificial intelligence. (Section 3(b))
-
Legal Protection: Independent creators are provided a "safe harbor" so they cannot be held liable under antitrust laws for their collective bargaining efforts. (Section 3(b))
-
Economic Relief: The bill addresses findings that the current market imbalance has decimated careers and made it difficult for musicians to make a living. (Section 2)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Negotiation Restrictions: The ability to negotiate collectively is limited by specific requirements; negotiations must not be limited only to price and must be nondiscriminatory among similarly situated owners. (Section 3(b)(1))
-
Strict Participant Limits: Collective actions are only protected if they do not involve any person who is not an Individual Music Creator Owner or a Dominant Online Music Distribution Platform. (Section 3(b)(3))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+7Good For Union Workers+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Improves Union Protections+6
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+5
- 5/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York