Brussels, 04/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) has given its final approval in order to boost access to music online via the collective management of copyright and the granting of licences to stream music in more than one EU country, whilst safeguarding the interests of creators and artists.
On Tuesday 4 February, the MEPs approved a European directive on this subject, based on the report by Marielle Gallo (EPP, France), which was adopted by an overwhelming majority (640 votes to 18 with 22 abstentions). She stressed that copyright was an asset to the European economy and that, whilst remaining a sensitive issue, it could easily be adapted to the digital era. “We need more European success stories in the digital economy. The next iTunes should be European, something that will serve both European citizens and cultural diversity”, she added.
To this end, the new legislative framework will allow providers of online music to obtain multi-country licences from collective copyright management companies more easily. This would mean that a supplier, such as Spotify, which streams music on the internet in a number of different countries, will now be able to turn to a single company instead of applying for several national licences, which will make it very much easier for it to stream its repertoire. Additionally, in order to ensure cultural diversity, creators wishing to be streamed in several countries could have their licences represented by other collective management companies under the same terms. Lastly, these companies would have to show more transparency, in terms of their tariffs for example, and ensure that copyright fees are paid to the creators as quickly as possible, and certainly within nine months following the year in which the payment was collected. Those with entitlement are now also guaranteed the option to have a say in the management of their rights, and of the use of the money collected as a result of the use of their work.
European Commissioner for the Single Market Michel Barnier, who was behind the directive, warmly welcomed the plenary vote, describing the text as being balanced to the benefit of both the citizens and the rightholders: “It will facilitate the entry of small innovative suppliers on the European market. It will also contribute to wider availability and better choice of offers of online music in Europe”, he stressed. (MD/transl.fl)