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H.R.4936 / 103rd Congress

Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994

Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Aug 10, 1994

Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 - Exempts from copyright infringement the communication of a performance or work by television or radio sets located in a business establishment, or the performance of a nondramatic musical work by a choral group of a nonprofit educational institution choral group, unless persons are charged to see or hear the performance. Provides that in any civil action for copyright infringement involving a nondramatic musical work that is licensed by a performing rights society or other organization authorized to license public performances of such works, if the defendant admits liability but contests the amount of the license fee charged by such society or organization, the dispute may, if requested by either party, be submitted to arbitration under the Federal judicial code. Requires such societies or organizations to make available, free of charge, to licensees or those negotiating licenses, on-line computer access to their entire repertoire, including information regarding the title of the work, the name, address, and telephone number of the author and the copyright owner (if different), and the names of any artists known to have performed the work.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Reed, Jack [D-RI-2] · D–RI

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
33 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1700)

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4936 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4936 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4936 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4936 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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