Federal law is long overdue for protection of songwriters and entertainers in the music industry.

AMERICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY 2023

Bllions of dollars in revenue are generated annually through the sale of sound recordings and music concerts. Yet even in 2023, Songwriters and music makers continue to battle a monopoly. Protective laws do not currently exist. The result is routine violations of basic dignity, more extreme than in any other American profession. The basic American right to free speech, rights to fair business practices, and rights of protection against contractual fraud have not been secured in entertainment.

Before human rights abuses of the 50's, 60's and 70's -- such as those endured by Elvis Presley and Sixto Rodriguez -- great songwriters and performers of the 20's 30's and 40s, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland, suffered regular abuse at the hands of managers and industry executives. Today, these abuses continue such as exploitation of Britney Spears for hundreds of millions of dollars, the theft of the musical recordings of platinum recording artist Melanie Sakfa, and the monopoly exercised upon Taylor Swift by Ticketmaster.

Human Rights must be protected in music. From the United Nations' International Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 27

1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Sign this petition seeking the consideration by federal lawmakers for the protection of American songwriters, musicians and performers:

1. That no contract shall impede the basic right to freedom of speech.
2. That no contract shall deny the right to fair trial.
3. That no contract shall prevent an artist from refraining from the performance of certain songs for which his or her name and/or reputation, and/or his or her personal income, is dependent upon.
4. That every sale of a musical product is required to be reported upon annually to the creator of that musical product, regardless of whether or not any payment is due. 
5. That any use of the name or imagery (photographs, videos, further renderings, etc.) of an artist is required to be authorized by the creator.
6. That any use of musical recordings, imagery or name of a creator is required to be authorized. Said authorization is restriced solely to the creator. This authorization musn't be sold nor may it ever be revoked from the artists control.
7. No restrictions may be placed or threatened, upon the right of all American citizens to participate in the cultural life of the community through music performances and their recordings, nor to enjoy music and to share in its benefits.