The Stage

European ministers block copyright term extension

Published Tuesday 31 March 2009 at 17:51 by Lalayn Baluch

Proposals to almost double the term of copyright protection for musicians on sound recordings were dealt a blow last week, when European ministers in the Committee of Permanent Representatives failed to agree on a deal.

The UK was among a minority of countries that blocked efforts to extend the term from 50 to 95 years, arguing that a number of requirements must be agreed on before an extension is passed.

The government’s decision not to support the proposals has been commended by the Featured Artists Coalition - which features Billy Bragg, Jools Holland and Craig David among its members.

The FAC believes that an extension will not deliver any real lasting benefits for artists or consumers.

However, music trade bodies have expressed disappointment at the latest turn of events. In a joint statement, the Musicians’ Union, collecting society PPL, record label trade body BPI and the Association of Independent Music, said: “The British music sector is very disappointed by the absence of agreement on an extension for performers and sound recording rights at the meeting, and particularly that our own government, despite its recent positive statements, did not vote in favour of the proposal at this meeting.

“The UK music sector has lived up to its commitments by reaching an agreement, as demanded by ministers, that will deliver real benefits to musicians in an extended term. In continuing to hold out for further changes, the government has not heeded the repeated pleas of the very musicians it claims to support, who strongly encouraged it to vote for the proposal today.”

In the statement, they called on the government to “match its supportive rhetoric with concrete action by moving heaven and earth to reach an agreement”.

In February, industry bodies had responded positively to the European Parliament legal affairs committee’s decision to vote in favour of a copyright extension.

A final vote was due to take place in the European Parliament later this month, however the legislation will now only proceed if ministers agree to the proposals.

The setback means that the matter is unlikely to be resolved in the current presidency of the European Union.

Dominic McGonigal, PPL director of government relations, added: “We now ask that the council [of ministers] approves these proposals and so puts an end to second class status for performers in Europe. We do not want to hear that this legislation has failed because of political wranglings over inconsequential technicalities.”