CRB Comment Period for Mechanical Rate Settlement Draws Supporters, Detractors — and Stevie Wonder?
The proposed US mechanical royalty settlement for 2028–32 has drawn support from major record labels, music publishers and several trade bodies, while songwriter and publisher groups have urged the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to set a higher rate. The dispute matters because the rate determines what songwriters receive when physical recordings and downloads are sold in the United States.
Critics argue the agreement could reset the per-song rate to 12 cents in 2028, rather than begin at the current COLA-adjusted 13.1 cents; negotiators say this interpretation is wrong. Alternative proposals range from 15.6 cents to 22 cents per song, with higher per-minute rates for tracks over five minutes. Supporters include the NMPA, Sony, Warner, Universal, NSAI, MAC and A2IM.
- Mechanical royalty settlement faces disagreement over its 2028 starting rate.
- Critics seek rates above 13.1 cents per song.
- Major labels and trade groups support the proposed agreement.