Current Trends in the Music Industry – DOJ Consent Decrees and Full-Works Licensing

At the request of both the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the Department of Justice (DOJ) opened up an inquiry into the effectiveness of consent decrees in response to the changes of the music industry.

While the DOJ has elected not to modify consent decrees, it has made the determination that “full-works licensing” is required under the consent decree.

This decision has received mixed reactions.

In this presentation, attorney Julian Cordero goes over what the DOJ intended by allowing for full-works music licensing, developments of what occurred following the DOJ determination, and what this means for the future of the music industry. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review the Department of Justice’s decision to not modify consent decrees
2. Understand the DOJ’s intention in allowing full-works music licensing
3. Discuss the decision’s implications for the future of the music industry