HomeInsightsUK music producers back artists’ warnings of dangers in safe harbours.

The Music Producers Guild is supporting the International Artist Organisation (IAO) in its campaign to ensure that artists’ rights and opportunities are protected in today’s digital world.

As reported in N2K, the IAO, which represents over 15,000 artists in 10 European countries, recently warned the European Commission that fixing the “Value Gap” or “YouTube Question” solely in favour of the major record labels would not in isolation fix the problems in the digital music economy.

Growth and innovation throughout the music industry will be stifled unless the European Commission ensures that all new legislation protects the rights and opportunities of creative artists, songwriters, performers and other small businesses within the music ecosystem, the IAO states.

It goes on to say that issues around transparency, a fair share of value, duty of care and the evolution of remuneration rights to be fit for the digital age sit at the heart of its own campaign, and these dovetail precisely with the MPG’s own views on how the value chain should be re-booted to ensure future music industry growth.

We thoroughly support the IAO’s call for a level digital playing field,” says MPG Executive Director Bruno Ellingham. “Everyone involved in the music industry now operates in a world of value-share business models as opposed to the old order where we bought and sold physical products. Trust alone is not enough to ensure that the digital world is fair for everyone. We also need legislation that recognises the rights of music creators and ensures they are properly remunerated so that they can build sustainable, long-term careers”.  To read the MPG’s press release, click here.

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