I often reflect on how fortunate I am: I’ve had an amazing career, and I’m deeply grateful for the fans who continue to find joy in the music I wrote and recorded. But when it comes to the recorded music part of the business, I’ve been surprised to learn that federal law discriminates against older artists like me, including the icons who inspired me to follow my passion and make music.

Let me explain. When you hear “Sweet Caroline,” my hit from 1968, on internet radio, satellite radio or a music channel on cable TV, those services can withhold certain royalty payments thanks to an obscure quirk in federal copyright law that predates digital radio altogether.

Federal copyright law does not protect music recorded before 1972. Instead, “pre-’72” recordings are subject to a patchwork of state laws that amount to a legal obstacle course, both for artists like me and for digital radio services.

I have been fortunate to earn a living from touring and from the royalties I receive as a recording artist and songwriter through sales of vinyl, CDs and downloads — and, more recently, through on-demand streaming from digital services like Spotify and Apple Music.

But when my music is played on digital and satellite radio services, I receive a small amount of songwriting royalties, but no royalties as the recording artist.