MEPs vote to extend music copyrights

Members of the European parliament's legal affairs committee voted on Wednesday (12 February) in favour of new legislation that will increase the duration of music copyrights from 50 to 95 years.

If approved at the parliament's plenary session next month, performers and producers would receive royalties over the extended period dating from the first publication or performance of their song.

However some MEPs within the legal affairs committee criticized the draft legislation saying the change would be against the interests of consumers and lesser-known artists.

Green MEP Eva Lichtenberger said the vote would "be music to the ears of major record companies and an elite group of wealthy performers".

"They stand to profit from proposed changes to copyright law, while lesser-known artists and consumers pay the price," adding that the Greens would call for a complete rejection of the proposal at the plenary vote on 24-26 March.

However supporters of the proposal say the prolongation is needed to ensure that performers can support themselves and their families in old age.

Artists who performed a number of songs in the 1950s are starting to see a reduction in their income from music royalties. One such artist is Sir Cliff Richard whose copyright on his first hit expired last year.

Sir Cliff, a long-time campaigner in favour of the change told The Times: "The wheels have turned slowly but I'm so glad that at last the balance is restored and artists and their dependants will have the security of 95 years of copyright income."

"Of course I'm pleased for myself, but the relief will be huge for those performers whose pension is largely made up of royalties from perhaps just two or three recordings in the fifties or sixties. Well done and thanks to the lawmakers for a good and just decision."

The legal affairs committee also approved a dedicated fund for session musicians.

Money for the fund would come from the extra revenues gained by music producers under the extended copyright legislation. Producers would be obliged to set aside at least 20 percent of the new revenues for the purpose.

The committee asked the European commission to assess whether a copyright extension would also be of benefit to citizens working in the audiovisual sector.