Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Republicans from Texas, told us they’re working to amend music copyright legislation after concerns raised by Blackstone Group (see 1807240054). Two prominent songwriter groups accused the private equity firm and its music licensing entities of a greedy political play that could sink rare consensus music copyright change.

The FCC’s likely sinking of Sinclair buying Tribune is “disgraceful” and “so sad and unfair,” said President Donald Trump Tuesday evening in a tweet that angered Democratic lawmakers, but is considered unlikely to influence FCC policy, said boosters and critics of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I don’t think the chairman would kowtow” to Trump, said Benton Foundation and Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law and Policy fellow Gigi Sohn, an aide to previous FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “I’m sure he knows the FCC is an independent agency,” said Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a friend of Trump’s and opponent of Sinclair/Tribune. “I would be very surprised if he ever tried to meddle with FCC policy.”

States joined local government officials sounding the alarm over an FCC plan to ban state and local moratoriums on new wireless and wireline facilities (see 1807240035 and 1807130045). The draft order also includes one-touch, make-ready rules and is set for vote at next Thursday’s commissioners' meeting. States’ interest in pole attachments is increasing as they look to spur broadband, state commissioners said in interviews. Pennsylvania sees a need to take a stronger role in pole attachment disputes as part of that effort, said Public Utility Commission member Norman Kennard.

The FCC’s likely sinking of Sinclair buying Tribune is “disgraceful” and “so sad and unfair,” said President Donald Trump Tuesday evening in a tweet that angered Democratic lawmakers, but is considered unlikely to influence FCC policy, said boosters and critics of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I don’t think the chairman would kowtow” to Trump, said Benton Foundation and Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law and Policy fellow Gigi Sohn, an aide to previous FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “I’m sure he knows the FCC is an independent agency,” said Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a friend of Trump’s and opponent of Sinclair/Tribune. “I would be very surprised if he ever tried to meddle with FCC policy.”

States joined local government officials sounding the alarm over an FCC plan to ban state and local moratoriums on new wireless and wireline facilities (see 1807240035 and 1807130045). The draft order also includes one-touch, make-ready rules and is set for vote at next Thursday’s commissioners' meeting. States’ interest in pole attachments is increasing as they look to spur broadband, state commissioners said in interviews. Pennsylvania sees a need to take a stronger role in pole attachment disputes as part of that effort, said Public Utility Commission member Norman Kennard.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejection Wednesday (see 1807250002) of anti-consolidation groups’ petition against the restored UHF discount is seen as removing pressure on the FCC to raise the national cap and paving the way for TV station dealmaking.

Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Republicans from Texas, told us they’re working to amend music copyright legislation after concerns raised by Blackstone Group (see 1807240054). Two prominent songwriter groups accused the private equity firm and its music licensing entities of a greedy political play that could sink rare consensus music copyright change.

Issues raised by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and backed by performing rights organization SESAC could jeopardize Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, said observers Tuesday. Cruz and Cornyn during markup (see 1806280062) voiced concern about the bill’s mechanical licensing collective (MLC), which would establish a royalty payment database overseen by the Copyright Office, precluding private entities from competing. Two experts said SESAC is concerned the new framework could put its Harry Fox Agency, which collects and distributes money to music rights holders, out of business. BMI said in a statement Tuesday it’s disappointed “last minute asks” could threaten the legislation: “We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.” SESAC is “committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and [demand-side platforms] and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration,” a spokesperson said.

Issues raised by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and backed by performing rights organization SESAC could jeopardize Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, said observers Tuesday. Cruz and Cornyn during markup (see 1806280062) voiced concern about the bill’s mechanical licensing collective (MLC), which would establish a royalty payment database overseen by the Copyright Office, precluding private entities from competing. Two experts said SESAC is concerned the new framework could put its Harry Fox Agency, which collects and distributes money to music rights holders, out of business. BMI said in a statement Tuesday it’s disappointed “last minute asks” could threaten the legislation: “We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.” SESAC is “committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and [demand-side platforms] and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration,” a spokesperson said.

Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, filed their Eliminate From Regulators Opportunities to Nationalize The Internet in Every Respect (E-Frontier) Act Monday in a bid to formally bar President Donald Trump's administration from proposing the U.S. build a national 5G network without authorization from Congress. The bill was filed months after a leaked National Security Council draft memo that proposed 5G nationalization because of concerns China could otherwise build a network. The memo drew derision (see 1801290034 and 1801300039). Cortez Masto and Cruz have since raised concerns about 5G nationalization, including during a June NTIA oversight hearing (see 1802120011 and 1806130095). “Partnering with the private sector is the best option we have for building the necessary infrastructure required to securely deploy and operate a nationalized 5G network,” Cortez Masto said. “We believe that the private sector is best positioned to build, deploy, and secure 5G networks,” Cruz said. “Our legislation would prevent massive government overreach in our private sector and assert the proper role of Congress in the decision making process.”