FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@dima.org
The Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act Protects First Amendment Rights of Artists and Songwriters
Association for Major Streaming Services Offers its Support for H.R. 8531
Washington, D.C. (October 4, 2022) – Digital Media Association President and CEO Garrett Levin today announced DiMA’s endorsement of Rep. Hank Johnson’s and Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act, which would establish limits on the use of an artist’s expression against them in criminal and civil proceedings. Levin offered comment on DiMA’s endorsement:
“Passage of the RAP Act will help protect the vital First Amendment rights of artists and all creators, safeguarding their ability to create free from fear that their art may one day be used against them as evidence of crimes. In recent years, it has become all too common for prosecutors to look to music lyrics, particularly rap lyrics, as evidence of crimes. To selectively justify criminal prosecution on the basis of song lyrics chills expression and undermines the very foundations of free speech.
“DiMA and its members thank the sponsors and supporters of this important legislation to protect music and those who create it.”
The text of H.R. 8531 is available here.
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About The Digital Media Association (DiMA):
DiMA is the leading organization advocating for the digital music innovations that have created unparalleled consumer choice and revolutionized the way music fans and artists connect. Representing the world’s leading music streaming companies – Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube – DiMA’s mission is to promote and protect the ability of music fans to engage with creative content whenever and wherever they want and for artists to more easily reach old fans and make new ones. www.DiMA.org
