Marsha Blackburn: “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the DMCA, as it is commonly known here in this Chamber, is nearly 20 years old.…”

“The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the DMCA, as it is commonly known here in this Chamber, is nearly 20 years old. Now, just as a reminder, 20 years ago, Google was being born, Americans were out dancing the ``Macarena,'' and they were holding cell phones that were the size of bricks. That was 20 years ago. Tech companies like YouTube may have changed the way Americans consume music, but our laws have not kept pace to protect the songwriters and the artists who actually create that music. This week, 180 musical artists and songwriters, including Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, and the bands Chicago and U2, sent a letter to Congress calling for the reform of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a copy of this letter. Dear Congress: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is broken and no longer works for creators. As songwriters and artists who are a vital contributing force to the U.S. and to American exports around the world, we are writing to express our concern about the ability of the next generation of creators to earn a living. The existing laws threaten the continued viability of songwriters and recording artists to survive from the creation of music. Aspiring creators shouldn't have to decide between making music and making a living. Please protect them. One of the biggest problems confronting songwriters and recording artists today is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.…”