EU to help music companies keep Elvis, Beatles royalties

The European Union will come to a new agreement according to which there will be a 20-year extension of copyright on music recorded before the 1960s. Critics argue that while record companies keep their profits high, artists will lose out.

Record companies have managed to reap high profits thanks to the back catalogues of many popular artists. To perpetuate their gain, they have been lobbying the EU to prevent the copyright of golden oldies from running out.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Musicians sing out for protection http://www.europeansources.info/record/musicians-sing-out-for-protection/

ESO: Background information: Brussels examines where to put marker on copyright enforcement http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-examines-where-to-put-marker-on-copyright-enforcement/

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