Royalties for rockers

EU plan for ageing rock stars to keep receiving royalties for the rest of their lives

17 July 2008 - Sir Cliff Richard is one artist who has been campaigning for this proposal over the past few years.

The veteran rocker's first hits are due to go out of copyright on 1 January 2009, as under the current copyright laws artists lose the rights to their recordings after 50 years.

The Who's Roger Daltrey, Sir Paul McCartney and U2 are amongst those campaigning to extend the limit to a lifetime.

As is stands now performers, producers and record labels would no longer get paid for sales or airplay, and the songs could be released cheaply by any record label.

The EU has now announced a scheme for copyright on recordings to last for 95 years. EU governments and the European Parliament still need to give approval.

"I am especially pleased that the announcement focuses on the 'invisible' members of our industry" - Feargal Sharkey

Lesser-known band members

The EU plan also looks out for the lesser-known band members, sessions musicians and producers who may need the cash in retirement more than the big names.

Former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey, now chief executive of British Music Rights, says this is crucial:

"I am especially pleased that the announcement focuses on the 'invisible' members of our industry - the musicians, engineers and session players whose names are hidden away in the liner notes and credits.

"It is they, and not just 'featured' artists and record labels, who could derive real benefits from this move - and at a time in life when their earning power would be severely diminished."

Bridge the income gap

European Commission Single Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy revealed the plan:

"A 95-year term would bridge the income gap that performers face when they turn 70, just as their early performances recorded in their 20s would lose protection."

But the UK government rejected its own extension to the copyright term last year, saying it was "not convinced" that there was an economic case for the move.

On further investigation, the government said most artists would not benefit from an extension because of their record contracts as most musicians had contractually had to pass royalties back to their record
labels.

The government also concluded that an extension would lead to increased costs for consumers, who would be forced to pay for royalties for longer.



Ruth Barnes