Brussels, 13/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Artists and music professionals have welcomed the adoption of the directive which extends copyright protection of sound recordings from 50 to 70 years in the EU (see EUROPE 10450). In a joint press release, management societies, artists, musicians and producers of sound recordings AEPO-ARTIS, GIART, FIM, ICMP and IFPI welcome the decision which will allow the European music sector to compete globally and to re-invest in new talent. IMPALA, which represents independent music companies, says the new directive will ensure that independent labels will survive and artists live from their music without fears for their future. Thirty-eight thousand artists and musicians signed a petition calling for the term of copyright on musicals works to be extended. (I.L./transl.rt)