The Stage

Royalty blow as review warns against copyright extension

Published Monday 27 November 2006 at 11:40 by Liz Thomas

Cliff Richard and The Beatles are among the stars set to lose out on music royalties, after a government-commissioned review recommend that the copyright on sound recordings should not be extended.

The singers, along with other leading artists and the British Phonographic Industry, wanted the term to be extended from 50 years to 95.

However the independent report by former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers concluded that this was not necessary. If accepted by the government his conclusions will mean that the earliest of Richard’s music will be out of copyright in a little over a year. It also means that session musicians and backing singers will also lose out - some of whom are relying on royalties - as the industry is notoriously badly paid.

Glen Barnham, who represents Equity on the PPL Performer Board said: “The news is a kick in the teeth to the music industry and performers as there is an overwhelming case to extend beyond the 50 years but clearly Gowers has been hoodwinked by the ‘free up copyright’ brigade. This is not only about the stars that made those recordings, it is also about the many thousands of session musicians and singers who are not household names and who should still benefit, along with their estates, from the success of product still widely used after 50 years.

“This is very bad news for them and puts UK music, which is a world leader, way behind those many countries who enjoy a longer term of copyright extension.”

He added that the government should use the American policy of a 95 year copyright as a benchmark. The issue only applies to recording artists, however, as composers and their families retain copyright on musical scores until 70 years after their death.

Gowers’ conclusions will be published next week, as part of the chancellor’s annual pre-budget report.