MEPs are working on a new directive to better manage copyright collectives that license rights and collect royalties on behalf of artists.

Protecting artists online

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16360866/n001-130709-001-en.srt

Whether it’s for public performance  or broadcasting rights,

many artists  like Manu and the Coundouristes

use copyright collectives to license work  and collect royalties on their behalf.

The EU’s recorded music market  is worth some 6 billion euros.

It's really a lot of work to have to ensure  that all the licensing fees are paid.

If we had do it, it would mean  calling all the radio stations...

The laws vary from country  to country in the EU,

so for example if a song of mine is played  in France, Portugal, Spain or Italy,

Using multiple copyright collectives  across Member States can’t be easy.

There are some 250 copyright collectives  across the EU.

Management societies like SABAM  deal very little with the internet.

If as an artist I want my work to be  distributed on online platforms like iTunes,

I have to go through a digital distributor  that deals with collecting the fees

MEPs have been working on a new law  to better manage collectives

and to improve multi-territorial  licensing of music.

The draft report was approved by  the Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

This harmonisation of their governing rules,

the transparency requirements  that will be imposed on them,

will facilitate the circulation  of cultural goods online,

increase also the resources of  musicians and creators.

Online music platforms  like iTunes or Spotify

are also a great way for artists to get  a bigger fanbase and bigger paychecks.

In the future music providers can more  easily buy a mixed repertoire of music

and diffuse it in many countries worldwide.

negotiations with Member States are  expected to start after the summer break.