a 2 i m

Advocacy

AB5 Coverage

AB5 reclassifies many gig workers as traditional employees, ostensibly to provide them with bolstered benefits and job protection. AB5 was designed to regulate companies that hire gig workers in large numbers, such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. However, freelance professionals in several industries (music among them) were essentially laid off as a result of the bill, and potentially hundreds of thousands of Californians were unable to collaborate and earn a living as they had before. See more information here.

California Agrees to Amend AB5 Restrictions for Gigging Musicians

  • Digital Music News
  • 04/17/2020

California Legislators Amend AB5 Gig Economy Law to Protect Music Professionals

  • Billboard
  • 04/17/2020

Billboard Chart

In 2020, A2IM partnered with Billboard to modify the inclusion parameters for the Top Independent Albums chart, expanding the “independent” definition to allow for more independently-owned labels to appear on the ranking. With this modification, the chart would be acknowledged as the official album chart of A2IM.

A2IM and Billboard Partner to Introduce New Changes to Top Independent Albums Chart

  • Broadway World
  • 06/16/2020

CREATE ART Act

Introduced by Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost in April 2024, the Cultivating Resources for Emerging Artists to Thrive and Excel Art Act Hopes to create four new federal grants for artists, which would provide anywhere from $2,000 to $100,000 for artistic activities, projects, live performances, living expenses, and more. In a coalition of other advocacy-based organizations, A2IM widely endorsed this bill and continues to support Rep. Frost in his efforts to get it passed on a federal level. See more information here.

New Congressional Bill Would Create Funding Grants for Developing Artists

  • Consequence of Sound
  • 04/10/2024

DMCA

In 2016, A2IM joined nineteen other major music industry organizations and over 400 songwriters, artists and managers to call upon the U.S Copyright Office to reform the misused “safe harbor” provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) and its broken “notice and takedown” system. See more information here.

Note: A “safe harbor” is a limitation on monetary legal liability that could otherwise result from the infringement or unauthorized use of copyright-protected works by an Online Service Provider’s users.

US Copyright Office: DMCA’s Safe Harbour System “Unbalanced”

  • Hypebot
  • 06/08/2020

US music bodies pile pressure on digital platforms over online piracy

  • Music Week
  • 05/22/2020

Everyone comments on the US Copyright Office’s safe harbour report

  • Complete Music Update
  • 05/22/2020

Fair Trade of Music

In 2020, A2IM joined a coalition of music industry groups to launch the “Fair Trade of Music” campaign to fight for the fair and equal treatment of music creators when their music is played in markets around the world. Many countries currently discriminate against some non-native music creators by denying them royalties for the use of their work, despite royalties being otherwise paid to creators who are nationals of those countries for the exact same use. More information here.

Music Industry Groups Launch Campaign Seeking Fair Trade For Music In Global Markets

  • Music Row
  • 06/24/2020

Healthcare

In 2023, A2IM launched a new tier of A2IM Artist membership program, offering A2IM Artist Pro members discounted access to health insurance & coverage options for sole proprietors and gig workers. See more information here.

A2IM Artist Pro Program Offers Members Health Care Benefits, Discounts

  • All Access
  • 08/02/2023

A2IM Launches Health Insurance Program for Musicians

  • Pitchfork
  • 08/01/2023

A2IM Launches Health Insurance Initiative for Independent Executives

  • Digital Music News
  • 11/17/2022

HEROES Act

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. Following the release of the House of Representatives’ draft HEROES Act, A2IM joined forces with SoundExchange, the Future of Music Coalition, and the Recording Academy to issue a joint statement. A2IM advocated for the adjustment of language in the HEROES Act that would provide more support and protections for small, non-commercial and community radio stations, rather than mega-radio corporations. Learn more here.

STATEMENT: Music Advocates Denounce Big Radio Bailout in HEROES Act

  • Radio Facts
  • 05/14/2020

IMDB for Music

In May of 2020, A2IM endorsed Jaxsta’s initiative to provide a broader array of information, including current chart data from around the world, industry awards, a calendar of industry events and other info on the world’s top 20 music markets through one single application. See more information here.

Jaxsta Aims to Bring Back Liner Notes, and Create an IMDB for Music

  • Variety
  • 05/19/2020

Justice in Policing Act

In 2020, A2IM issued a joint statement applauding the House Judiciary Committee’s passage of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, a civil rights and police reform bill aimed at combating police misconduct, excessive force and racial bias in policing. See more information here.

A2IM, ARA, BMAC, FMC, MAC, RIAA And SONA Applauding House Judiciary Committee Passage Of The Justice In Policing Act

  • All Access
  • 06/18/2020

Music Legend Nile Rodgers’ ‘Youth To The Front’ Fund Combats Systemic Racism

  • Forbes
  • 06/18/2020

Member Benefits

A2IM Artist Pro Program Offers Members Health Care Benefits, Discounts

  • All Access
  • 08/02/2023

A2IM Launches Health Insurance Program for Musicians

  • Pitchfork
  • 08/01/2023

A2IM Launches Health Insurance Initiative for Independent Executives

  • Digital Music News
  • 11/17/2022

Radio

In 2020, A2IM testified on AM-FM ACR & stimulus demanding fair compensation for artists. Read full testimony here.

A2IM TESTIFIES ON AM-FM ACT & STIMULUS, DEMANDS FAIR COMPENSATION FOR ARTISTS

  • A2IM
  • 05/28/2020