TRADE ORGS BACK STREAMING BILL

Music trade bodies have welcomed a bill mandating a better streaming deal for musicians and songwriters. Put to the U.K. government by MP Kevin Brennan, it's backed by 11 other cross-party MPs.

Titled Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians etc.), the bill aims to “create a new right to fair remuneration for musicians when their work is played on streaming platforms,” Brennan said. “Musicians’ earnings have been devastated by the closing down of gigs, which has helped highlight how they are not getting a fair share of music-streaming revenues from recordings.”

Naomi Pohl of The Musicians’ Union called the bill a “major milestone,” adding, “the fact that it has cross-party support is much appreciated and extremely encouraging.”

Graham Davies, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said reforms in music copyright and contracts are “long overdue” and posited, “Providing fair compensation for songwriters, composers and artists will ensure the U.K. retains our position as a cultural powerhouse.” Tom Gray’s #BrokenRecord campaign has also welcomed the news.

Brennan formally introduced the bill in Parliament Wednesday; the second reading, which is when key principles and the main purpose of the bill will be debated, will take place on 12/3.

Earlier in June, The Rolling Stones added their name to a letter signed by more than 200 artists asking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to update U.K. copyright law so artists, performers and songwriters receive the same rights they have in radio, known as "equitable remuneration.” The letter followed the end of hearings into the economics of streaming, the final report from which is expected to be published soon.