[eccr] EU announces new music licensing rules

EU announces new music licensing rules
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European music rights for web broadcasting by radio and TV are about to
receive a drastic overhaul that may have huge consequences for the
market. 

Currently, radio and TV stations that broadcast over the web have to pay
a separate copyright fee, a cost that has forced a
number of broadcasters to close down.

The new idea, introduced by the European Competition Commissioner at
the request of 15 European country's music rights' societies, will be
applicable across the EU and the neighbouring European Economic Area
(such as Norway) - opening up the entire market to competition.

Instead of merely licencing music for broadcast in their own country,
the societies will be able to licence for distribution across the EU at
competitive rates. This will enable radio and TV broadcasters to shop
around for the best rates in Europe.

Administrative and licence costs have always
been included in a single fee but administrative costs will now be shown
separately, allowing purchasers to compare deals and see the costs
involved. 

The decision was made by the Commissioner because such a joint agreement
by these societies requires exemption from EU anti-trust laws and a
guarantee of competitive policies, rather than price-fixing.


Source: http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=12874 -
Europemedia.net


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