Senate Democrats Ask DOJ to Delay Altering BMI/ASCAP Consent Decrees

DOJ should let Congress negotiate with stakeholders and develop an alternative solution before weakening or terminating the BMI and ASCAP consent decrees (see 1805150050), Democratic senators wrote Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Thursday. DOJ is examining the consent decrees, which govern licensing of public performance rights, under its legacy judgment initiative, drawing concerns from the music industry. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Minn.; Patrick Leahy, Vt.; Richard Blumenthal, Conn.; and Cory Booker, N.J., asked Delrahim to be mindful of the potential “disruptive and harmful effects” of altering the agreements without an alternative framework in place: “We respectfully request that the division take appropriate action to allow relevant parties to negotiate an alternative regime before taking unilateral action by terminating or weakening these judgments.” DOJ didn't comment.