EBU/GESAC/ICMP/ECSA Recommendation sets principles for online licensing

--

Brussels - Public service broadcasters, composers/songwriters, music publishers and collective management organisations have launched a forward-looking industry initiative to facilitate licensing in the digital environment.

The parties' respective European umbrella organizations - the EBU, the European Composers and Songwriters Alliance (ECSA), the Global Voice of Music Publishin (ICMP) and the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC) - have agreed today on a Recommendation that sets the principles which will encourage the aggregation of rights for the licensing of certain broadcast-related online activities on a cross-border basis.

The Recommendation establishes common principles that strike a balance between the stakeholders' interests and objectives to lead to the cross-border licensing of public service broadcasters. This will simplify the basis on which licences of musical works in the context of broadcast-related online activities , i.e. additional online content related to their regular broadcasting services will be implemented within the European Union. As well as promoting a voluntary re-aggregation of rights, the Recommendation also promotes high levels of transparency for authors/composers and publishers, fair compensation and efficient, modern and non-discriminatory administration arrangements.

Ingrid Deltenre, Director General of EBU, said When audiences go online, they expect to find regular public service media programmes via catch-up or streaming services as well as related content. This recommendation is an important step in the right direction because it will help streamline licensing solutions as public service media must meet these expectations effectively. Easy access to music rights for use in online programmes gives our Members an additional tool to make the most of the opportunities offered by the multi-platform environment.

Lucie Mattera, Secretary General of ECSA, said Music writers are at the forefront of encouraging the industry to adopt solutions for specific needs of their audience, who expects easy access to services such as catch-up or streaming. Composers and songwriters want their works to be disseminated as widely as possible, whilst receiving a fair return of value. The recommendation is an important milestone in this direction.

V ronique Desbrosses, General Manager of GESAC, said We are happy to contribute to developing a cross-border market solution that is tailored to the specific needs of public broadcasters while ensuring that the value of the music and creative efforts of our members are fully recognised and protected, and their demand for transparency is assured. This means that European consumers can enjoy a wide access to their favorite broadcasting programmes and discover music and music creators from all over the world .

Ger Hatton, Director General of ICMP, said This Recommendation demonstrates the willingness and ability of the music industry to come up with initiatives that facilitate licensing in today's rapidly changing digital environment. Intended as a practical instrument containing useable guidelines, once applied, it will lead to the voluntary aggregation of the rights entrusted to collective management organisations for licensing broadcast-related activities.

Contacts Heijo Ruijsenaars

EBU Head of Intellectual Property

ruijsenaars@ebu.ch

T 41.22.7172505

Lucie Mattera

ECSA Secretary General

info@composeralliance.org

T 32.2.544 03 33

Veronique Desbrosses

GESAC General Manager

secretariatgeneral@gesac.org

T 32 2 511 44.54

Coco Carmona

ICMP Legal & Regulatory Affairs

coco.carmona@icmp-ciem.org

T 32 2 401 6893

Share this page on

--

LINK:	http://www3.ebu.ch/sites/ebu/contents/news/2014/04/ebugesacicmpecsa-re...
	See more stories from ebu

Most recent headlines