To the American Music Publishing Community,

We are an international alliance of songwriter and composer organizations representing tens of thousands
of music creators throughout the world, many of whom have created musical works in which you claim
rights. We recently reached out to your trade organization, the National Music Publishers Association
(NMPA), hoping the Association would agree to have a discussion with us regarding unilateral
withdrawal by publishers of rights and repertoire from ASCAP and BMI.
While the discussion we requested was well within applicable competition laws, the response we received
from the NMPA was disappointing. In a letter from NMPA’s  General Counsel, we were told that the talks
we were seeking would be “inappropriate” and would “prove fruitless.”  Because  we  believe  there is still
much to be gained from an open dialogue with publishers we are reaching out to each of you directly
seeking immediate discussion between our communities.
It is a matter of public record that some music publishers have announced they are considering
withdrawing rights and repertoire from the performance rights organizations (ASCAP and BMI), and
licensing those rights directly to users. These statements assume that publishers possess the legal
authority to make such a unilateral withdrawal of works and rights on behalf of music creators and their
families, without exception. We disagree.
While our organizations support the exploration of all opportunities that might increase royalty rates for
music creators and publishers, we feel strongly that the songwriters, composers and others we represent
maintain their right to decide who collects performing rights royalties on their behalf. Further, we feel that
any direct performance licenses negotiated by publishers require complete transparency concerning both
the full terms of any direct licensing arrangement, and complete information necessary to determine the
royalties each music creator is owed.
Again, we are reaching out to discuss how we can work together for our mutual benefit. As an interim
step, to preserve the rights of the songwriters, composers and heirs that we represent, this letter shall serve
as formal notification on their behalf that each reserves the right to oppose any claims relating to alleged
publisher authority to unilaterally withdraw rights and repertoire from the PROs, unless such reservations
are specifically waived in writing by an individual creator. In no event should silence by any music
creator represented by the members of this alliance be construed as acquiescence or acceptance of the
legal position taken by certain publishers in this regard.

Signed:
Music Creators North America (MCNA): Additional Organizations:

Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC) Council of Music Creators (CMC)

Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL)
Société Professionelle des Auteurs et des
Compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ)
Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC)
Songwriters Guild of America (SGA)
Songwriters Guild Foundation (SGF)
European Composer & Songwriter Alliance (ECSA)
International Council of Music Creators (CIAM)
Latin-American Composers & Authors Alliance (ALCAM)
Pan-African Composer & Songwriter Alliance (PACSA)