RIAA Welcomes US Government Spotlight on Music Industry Piracy Priorities in Notorious Markets Report

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its annual Notorious Markets Report, identifying digital and physical platforms that facilitate widespread copyright piracy. This report highlights illicit services that undermine the American music community's contributions to national jobs, economic growth, and international trade. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has officially welcomed the findings, emphasizing the importance of protecting the creative sector's global competitive advantage.

On March 4, 2026, the USTR issued its annual Notorious Markets Report, which targets illicit markets where copyright piracy is prevalent. RIAA Senior Vice President of International Policy, George York, expressed gratitude toward Ambassador Greer and the interagency team for identifying services that engage in the theft of American music. These illicit operations specifically cited include "bulletproof" Internet service providers, cyberlockers, stream-ripping providers, torrent sites, and unlicensed streaming platforms.

The RIAA emphasizes that these pirate markets directly threaten the US economy by imperiling the creative sector's contributions and its global competitive edge. The association represents several hundred members, ranging from major American music groups with global reach to artist-owned labels and small businesses. According to the organization, these entities support hundreds of thousands of American jobs and constitute a vibrant music community, making the protection of their intellectual property a high priority for trade policy.

Beyond traditional piracy, the RIAA is urging the USTR to monitor emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence in future reports. Specifically, the organization is concerned about the widespread illegal use of copyrighted sound recordings and the unauthorized use of artist names, images, and likenesses. These practices are used to generate invasive and unlawful voice clones and deepfakes, which the RIAA identifies as a growing threat to the integrity of the music industry and its creators.