Advocacy Documents
Advocacy Fact Sheet
In 1998 The Recording Academy established an office in the nation's capital, seeking to amplify the voice of music creators in national policy matters. Today, called the "supersized musicians lobby" by Congressional Quarterly, The Academy's Advocacy & Government Relations office in Washington, D.C., is the leading representative of the collective world of recording professionals — artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers — through its GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative.
Letter to Congressional Supercommittee
Academy Files Amicus Brief Opposing Video Game Censorship
The Recording Academy, along with other groups opposed to government censorship, filed an amicus brief in Supreme Court case of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, et al., Petitioners v. Entertainment Merchants Association, et al. The court heard arguments on Nov. 2 about a California law, which was overturned on appeal in 2007, that would allow the state to restrict the sales of video games on a vague basis that the games harm the ethical or moral development of minors.
Sept. 17, 2010
Obama Administration Supports The Performance Rights Act
Cameron Kerry, the general counsel of the Department of Commerce, sent a letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressing the department's support for the bill. The letter noted the department had urged lawmakers several times since the 1970s to create a public performance right for sound recordings. In addition, Kerry wrote that extending the performance right for sound recordings "would provide a level playing field for all broadcasters to compete in the current environment of rapid technological change, including the Internet, satellite and terrestrial broadcasters."
April 1, 2010
The Recording Academy's Letter To The FCC
The Recording Academy submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission in response to its "Further Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking" report addressing the use of wireless microphones.
March 1, 2010
musicFIRST Coalition Advertisement
The musicFIRST Coalition ran a print advertisement in several Washington, D.C., publications.
Feb. 23, 1010
musicFIRST Coalition Letter To Congress
The musicFIRST Coalition sent a letter regarding the Performance Rights Act to Congress urging them to pass the bill.
Feb. 18, 2010
AFL-CIO/NAACP Letter In Roll Call
A letter supporting the Performance Rights Act appeared in Roll Call, signed by leading African-American and Latino civil rights groups as well as the AFL-CIO, AFM and AFTRA.
Dec. 7, 2009
Rep. Conyers And Sen. Leahy Call For Performance Rights Act Negotiations
Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sent a letter to the National Association of Broadcasters calling for negotiations on the Performance Rights Act.
Oct. 30, 2009
Pol Position
editorial by Shelia E. and Alice Peacock regarding the Performance Rights Act
Billboard — Sept. 5, 2009
Sheila E.'s Senate Judiciary Hearing Testimony
Aug. 4, 2009
A Fair Reward For Radio Artists
letter from Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow and AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts-Hedgepeth
The Washington Post — June 26, 2009
Amicus Brief In ASCAP Case
The Recording Academy and other groups representing songwriters filed this document in support of performance royalties for audio-visual downloads
June 17, 2009
Interview With The Recording Academy's Daryl Friedman
Electronic Musician — Aug. 2007
MGM v. Grokster
Brief
June 27, 2005
