Congresswoman Ross to Convene Virtual Forum on Fair Streaming and AI Rights for Independent Musicians

In a bid to give indie creators a louder voice, North Carolina’s Representative Deborah Ross will host a virtual forum titled "Our Seat at the Table" on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. The event brings together artists, songwriters, and independent record‑label representatives to discuss how creators can secure a voice in the evolving streaming and artificial‑intelligence (AI) economy.

Ross, who represents North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district, will outline her recently introduced Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 (PWMA). First presented in 2023 and reintroduced in May 2026, the bill would grant artists, songwriters, indie labels, and publishers the legal right to negotiate collectively with large streaming companies and AI developers. According to the text, the PWMA would create a new framework for fair royalty payments and contractual terms.

The forum will feature representatives from ten of the music industry’s most influential rights‑advocacy groups. Participants include the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), Fan Alliance, Folk Alliance, Future of Music Coalition, Music Artists Coalition (MAC), Music Managers Forum US (MMF‑US), National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), Recording Academy, and Songwriters of North America (SONA). The gathering is organized through the CelebrityAcess platform.

The PWMA addresses a long‑standing concern among independent creators: the lack of bargaining power against major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and AI‑based music‑generation services. Current royalty calculations often favor large labels and streaming giants, leaving small labels and solo artists with limited revenue. By allowing collective negotiation, the bill aims to level the playing field and provide transparent, equitable compensation.

Industry observers note that the PWMA aligns with recent legislative efforts to regulate AI in music. For example, the ELVIS Act of 2024 established penalties for unauthorized use of performers’ voices in AI applications. The PWMA expands on these protections by addressing licensing and royalty structures for AI‑generated content that incorporates existing recordings.

Ross’s advocacy is supported by the Recording Academy, which has publicly endorsed the PWMA. The Academy’s statement emphasizes the need for fair negotiations to sustain the creative economy. A2IM has highlighted the bill’s potential to protect independent labels from "breakage" and to ensure equitable treatment in licensing deals.

The forum’s virtual format will allow participants from across the United States to join without travel. The event is scheduled to run for approximately two hours, with a Q&A session at the end. Ross will also discuss the bill’s progress in Congress, noting that it has passed the House Committee on the Judiciary and is awaiting floor consideration.

The PWMA is part of a broader movement within the music community to secure creators’ rights in the digital age. Other initiatives include the Future of Music Coalition’s push for transparent streaming royalty reporting and the National Music Publishers Association’s campaign for fair AI licensing terms.

The event is open to the public and will be streamed live on the CelebrityAcess website. Creators and industry stakeholders are encouraged to register in advance to receive a link to the session.

As the PWMA moves through the legislative process, stakeholders will monitor its potential impact on royalty calculations, licensing agreements, and the overall economics of independent music production. The outcome could reshape how streaming platforms and AI developers negotiate with the creative community.

The forum on August 6 will provide a platform for creators to voice concerns, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies to secure fair compensation in a rapidly changing industry landscape.