| Author (Person) | Chapman, Peter |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.28, 29.7.04 |
| Publication Date | 29/07/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Peter Chapman Date: 29/07/04 INTERNATIONAL record labels have told the European Commission to change its tune over plans to maintain a limit on copyright protection for artists and producers of just half-a-century. The copyright plan would mean European artists The Beatles, Cliff Richard and Johnny Halliday - and their record companies - could soon lose the rights over their famous repertoires. That would allow rival labels - or anyone with a CD burner or website - to make and sell their own albums or distribute music online. The artists and their record companies would not get any money for the works they used to call their own. The 50-year plan was included in a review of EU copyright law unveiled last week by Frits Bolkestein, the commissioner for the internal market. He noted music industry views, but said a Commission study revealed "no apparent justification for such a change, given for example that there are no longer trade distortions arising from different terms of protection within the EU's internal market". The same study, he said, noted that in most other industrialized countries, the relevant period is 50 years. But Frances Moore, the EU director of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), disputed the Dutch commissioner's presentation. The US, the world's biggest music market, currently protects artists and record companies for 95 years, she said. The American law - dubbed the Sonny Bono act in honour of the late 1960s pop icon turned congressman - entered into force in 1998. Other countries with longer protection periods include Brazil, Australia and Singapore - all offering 70 years' protection. IFPI's Moore said the mismatch could fragment the market because products sold in the US might not be protected under EU copyright rules. Despite the concerns over the artists and producers responsible for performing and packaging music, the EU regime is relatively generous to authors of music and songs - often the same as the artists whose recorded works are covered by the 50-year rule. The authors and their dependents currently enjoy remuneration rights of their lifetime plus 70 years. But stars such as ex-Beatle Ringo Starr would lose out as he wrote few of the songs. Consultation on the review of EU legislation on copyright and related rights |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
