Sharkey talks though at MIDEM
"More MIDEM, and the boss of cross-industry trade body UK Music, Feargal Sharkey, often the consolatory voice in the room when the music industry feels it is being abused by government or the internet industry, delivered some fighting talk in his speech.
First the UK government. Despite Culture Secretary Andy Burnham putting pressure on the ISPs to take a more proactive role in combating online piracy, and more recently saying that the government were no longer completely against the idea of extending the sound recording copyright, Sharkey said British ministers should do more to help the music business.
Welcoming the French approach to online piracy (putting obligations on the ISPs to act - and to cut off file sharers - into law), and noting that the UK industry often relied on European legislation to protect label and artists' interests, he said: "Whether it's ensuring that a private copying exception is met with some sort of compensation mechanism, or term extension for sound recordings or simply protection of a creator's moral rights, why is it that UK creators are constantly having to seek support from Brussels and not on our own doorstep?." [CMUDaily]
Industry may start pushing for legislation on net-piracy policing as ISP negotiations falter
Whether it's led by UK Music or the BPI or another trade body, someone may need to step up their lobbying activity regarding making internet service providers take more responsibility for tackling online piracy.
As much previously reported, record label trade body the BPI and six ISPs last year signed a memorandum of understanding which saw the net firms commit send out warning letters to suspected file sharers as a way of preparing the ground for more detailed discussions on how the record companies and net firms could work together to combat piracy and collaborate on new digital music services that could be bundled into ISP's monthly subscriptions." [CMUDaily]
Illegal downloads don’t equate to lost sales, says U.S. judge
"A sort of interesting ruling in the US courts now which may have an impact on how content owners calculate their losses in online piracy cases.
The ruling comes from a criminal copyright action against Daniel Dove, who ran the Elite Torrents message board in 2004 and 2005, providing access to illegal sources of both music and movies. He's already been jailed for 18 months for his involvement in the infringing torrent group, and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.
However, two parties, the Recording Industry Association Of America and movie makers Lionsgate Entertainment, have also made claims for 'restitution'; basically they want to be compensated for the losses they claim they suffered as a result of Dove's torrent service (legally speaking, restitution is subtly different to compensation, but that's in essence what they want)." [CMUDaily]
Rough Trade distribution has MBO
"More indie distribution news for you, and Netherlands-based Rough Trade Distribution, linked back in the day to the London based record shop and label but long since a separate entity, has been bought out by its management." [CMUDaily]
Survey Finds ISPs Number One Choice Of Music Provider
"An international survey of more than 1300 music fans has found that the music industry is offering them the wrong kind of new music services. In the research conducted by The Leading Question and Music Ally in the UK, US and France, music fans overwhelmingly backed Internet Service Providers as their favoured music supplier when asked to choose amongst a variety of possible providers.
46% of the survey chose ISPs as their number one music service provider, compared to 10% preferring cable/satellite TV providers, 5% opting for mobile operators while a meagre 3% considered handset manufacturers best placed to deliver music to them. ISPs were also rated top choice provider for ‘unlimited’ music services, this despite mobile operators and handset manufacturers currently offering more of these services." [MusicAlly]
Showing posts with label music industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music industry. Show all posts
1/17/09
Music News Bulletin - 16/01/09
Talent retains value in publishing: Companies look to grow alternative revenue streams as mechanical income falls
Financial worries may have continued to impact the music industry over the past 12 months but, while record labels have dealt with their diminishing returns through reduced A&R budgets, the big publishers have remained aggressive when it comes to securing new artists. The year’s most sought-after deals – names such as White Lies, Glasvegas and Iglu & Hartly - managed to enter the higher regions of the six-figure price tag, while some of the big songwriter deals eclipsed even this.
As revenue from mechanical royalties continues to fall, however, the publishing sector is beginning to evaluate the validity of those artists worth their signature in new ways. Areas that in the past may have merely supplemented income from record sales can today create key revenue streams for artists and publishers and an artist’s potential in this area can make or break a deal." [MusicWeek]
Sony could post losses of a billion
"I lost a ten pound note the other week and found the whole experience quite stressful, so imagine what it must feel like to lose $1.1 billion. Well, that's the losses Sony Corp might post for the current financial year, ending 31 Mar, according to sources cited by Billboard.
Although some analysts reckon the mainstream entertainment industry will probably be hit less than most by the recession (despite the current turmoil in music retail) as consumers turn to relatively cheap music, film, games and telly to cheer themselves up (instead of more expensive luxury goods or premium pursuits) the economic downturn is already having a big negative impact on those who make and sell consumer electronics, as consumers put off buying that new TV or camcorder amid fears of mounting job insecurity. For an entertainment conglom like Sony, whose electronics business is key, this is not good news." [CMUDaily]
Global digital music sales grow as music industry develops new business models
"The music industry has transformed its business models, offering consumers an increasing range of new services with leading technology partners. Yet generating value in an environment where 95 per cent of music downloads are illegal and unpaid for is still the biggest challenge for music companies and their commercial partners.
The digital music business internationally saw a sixth year of expansion in 2008, growing by an estimated 25 per cent to US$3.7 billion in trade value. Digital platforms now account for around 20 per cent of recorded music sales, up from 15 per cent in 2007. Recorded music is at the forefront of the online and mobile revolution, generating more revenue in percentage terms through digital platforms than the newspaper (4%), magazine (1%) and film industries (4%) combined." [RecordOfTheDay]
Financial worries may have continued to impact the music industry over the past 12 months but, while record labels have dealt with their diminishing returns through reduced A&R budgets, the big publishers have remained aggressive when it comes to securing new artists. The year’s most sought-after deals – names such as White Lies, Glasvegas and Iglu & Hartly - managed to enter the higher regions of the six-figure price tag, while some of the big songwriter deals eclipsed even this.
As revenue from mechanical royalties continues to fall, however, the publishing sector is beginning to evaluate the validity of those artists worth their signature in new ways. Areas that in the past may have merely supplemented income from record sales can today create key revenue streams for artists and publishers and an artist’s potential in this area can make or break a deal." [MusicWeek]
Sony could post losses of a billion
"I lost a ten pound note the other week and found the whole experience quite stressful, so imagine what it must feel like to lose $1.1 billion. Well, that's the losses Sony Corp might post for the current financial year, ending 31 Mar, according to sources cited by Billboard.
Although some analysts reckon the mainstream entertainment industry will probably be hit less than most by the recession (despite the current turmoil in music retail) as consumers turn to relatively cheap music, film, games and telly to cheer themselves up (instead of more expensive luxury goods or premium pursuits) the economic downturn is already having a big negative impact on those who make and sell consumer electronics, as consumers put off buying that new TV or camcorder amid fears of mounting job insecurity. For an entertainment conglom like Sony, whose electronics business is key, this is not good news." [CMUDaily]
Global digital music sales grow as music industry develops new business models
"The music industry has transformed its business models, offering consumers an increasing range of new services with leading technology partners. Yet generating value in an environment where 95 per cent of music downloads are illegal and unpaid for is still the biggest challenge for music companies and their commercial partners.
The digital music business internationally saw a sixth year of expansion in 2008, growing by an estimated 25 per cent to US$3.7 billion in trade value. Digital platforms now account for around 20 per cent of recorded music sales, up from 15 per cent in 2007. Recorded music is at the forefront of the online and mobile revolution, generating more revenue in percentage terms through digital platforms than the newspaper (4%), magazine (1%) and film industries (4%) combined." [RecordOfTheDay]
1/10/09
Music News Bulletin - 09/01/09
Bill Nguyen on digital music
"If you can get your hand on the latest copy of Billboard (10th January it says on the cover) make sure you read the Opinion piece on page 4. In addition to giving a good pitch, Lala.com’s Bill Nguyen wrote a short and well formulated article on listening to music online and business behind it. My favourite quote:
“The web is home to more new music each year than was released in many previous decades. Critics say the music is mostly junk - but the same could have been said for the Web before Google made the knowledge there accessible.”
"Minimum Noise is a new site offering users the opportunity to make money by contributing parts to other musicians' work, or pay to have others supply the missing parts to their unfinished projects.
12/31/08
Music News Bulletin - 31/12/08
2008
12/15/08
EU Events Monitor - 15/12/08
International Music Summit 2009
“The International Music Summit (IMS) is set to return to Ibiza on May 27-29th 2009 after swiftly establishing itself as one of the most talked about music conferences of the year. Last year’s hugely successful inaugural summit brought together 300 of the most influential players at the cutting edge of the electronic music industry, marking the successful arrival of the key business and networking event in the dance music calendar.” [RecordOfTheDay]
MIDEM’S Publishing Summit
“MIDEM, with the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), and media partners MUSIC CONFIDENTIAL and the Music Publishers Assn.’s IMPACT, are presenting the first International Publishing Summit on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at MIDEM in Cannes.” [MusicConfidential]
“The International Music Summit (IMS) is set to return to Ibiza on May 27-29th 2009 after swiftly establishing itself as one of the most talked about music conferences of the year. Last year’s hugely successful inaugural summit brought together 300 of the most influential players at the cutting edge of the electronic music industry, marking the successful arrival of the key business and networking event in the dance music calendar.” [RecordOfTheDay]
MIDEM’S Publishing Summit
“MIDEM, with the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), and media partners MUSIC CONFIDENTIAL and the Music Publishers Assn.’s IMPACT, are presenting the first International Publishing Summit on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at MIDEM in Cannes.” [MusicConfidential]
EU Commission Internal Market - 15/12/08
Speech by Commissioner McCreevy at Creators Conference organised by UK Music
11 December 2008
"Ladies and Gentlemen, It is well known that there is no place I like better than to be among innovators, entrepreneurs and business people. I usually address people involved in the more main stream industries – manufacturers of goods and suppliers of services. And while the entertainment business is far more glamorous than manufacturing widgets, at the end of the day it's all about making a living and being paid for your creativity and innovation. So it is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning to speak to such an illustrious group of artists and creators. And I would like to take this opportunity to explain why I, the Commissioner for the Internal Market – usually associated with big banks and other large financial industries – launched a proposal to obtain 'a better deal for performers'.
First and foremost, I consider copyright and the music industry to be just as important as any other part of my portfolio – not only in terms of the economic and cultural benefits it brings to the European Union, but perhaps even more importantly because of the entertainment and feel good factor music brings to our daily lives." [Europa]
McCreevy tells industry to sort out performer fund
"The success of copyright term extension could hinge on how quickly the industry agrees to divvy up the performer fund proposed by Charlie McCreevy in his Directive. The EC Internal Market commissioner, who proposed extending copyright from 50 to 95 years, in February also proposed a fund should be set aside for session musicians.
In the proposal he said that the performers would get 20% of gross revenue generated in the extended term. However, various sectors of the industry are also keen that featured artists benefit from the fund and there have been talks between the BPI, Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum to resolve this issue." [MusicWeek]
11 December 2008
"Ladies and Gentlemen, It is well known that there is no place I like better than to be among innovators, entrepreneurs and business people. I usually address people involved in the more main stream industries – manufacturers of goods and suppliers of services. And while the entertainment business is far more glamorous than manufacturing widgets, at the end of the day it's all about making a living and being paid for your creativity and innovation. So it is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning to speak to such an illustrious group of artists and creators. And I would like to take this opportunity to explain why I, the Commissioner for the Internal Market – usually associated with big banks and other large financial industries – launched a proposal to obtain 'a better deal for performers'.
First and foremost, I consider copyright and the music industry to be just as important as any other part of my portfolio – not only in terms of the economic and cultural benefits it brings to the European Union, but perhaps even more importantly because of the entertainment and feel good factor music brings to our daily lives." [Europa]
McCreevy tells industry to sort out performer fund
"The success of copyright term extension could hinge on how quickly the industry agrees to divvy up the performer fund proposed by Charlie McCreevy in his Directive. The EC Internal Market commissioner, who proposed extending copyright from 50 to 95 years, in February also proposed a fund should be set aside for session musicians.
In the proposal he said that the performers would get 20% of gross revenue generated in the extended term. However, various sectors of the industry are also keen that featured artists benefit from the fund and there have been talks between the BPI, Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum to resolve this issue." [MusicWeek]
12/5/08
Music News Bulletin - 05/12/08
AIM Advises Labels On Pinnacle
"U.K. independent labels trade body AIM has called an emergency meeting after independent distribution company Pinnacle Entertainment went into administration. Although calls at the company's HQ in Sidcup, Kent were not answered, accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed it had been appointed as the administrator today (Dec. 3). The move is roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Following an initial review of the company, 94 staff have been made redundant.
Pinnacle claimed to distribute releases from more than 400 record labels, as well as DVDs and software. It handled releases by Dramatico, including Katie Melua, as well as Bella Union and One Little Indian. "The Katie Melua Collection" is one of the biggest current releases affected." [Billboard]
Pinnacle Collapse A 'Nightmare' For Indies
"U.K. independent labels' representatives have consulted a lawyer through trade body AIM after independent distribution company Pinnacle went into administration on Dec. 3, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Around 60 labels were represented at the meeting today (Dec. 4) at AIM's HQ in Chiswick, west London, along with authors' collecting society MCPS, iTunes and Pinnacle's digital management partner Consolidated Independent.
The mood was described as "very serious" by one attendee, although Cooking Vinyl founder and managing director Martin Goldschmidt tells Billboard.biz, "It's a horrible time but the meeting was very productive."
At least 300 physical release labels are affected and even more digital labels; U.S. acts affected include Sub Pop's Fleet Foxes, licensed to Bella Union in the U.K.
Label bosses consulted with barrister Philip Flower, a specialist in corporate insolvency. It has emerged that many labels are unhappy with the terms offered by the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward regarding the return of stock." [Billboard]
Pinnacle goes into administration
"Distributor Pinnacle has gone into administration, with the loss of 94 jobs. The company, which distributes labels such as Dramatico and One Little Indian, reportedly told staff the news this morning. Senior executives are believed to be in meetings this afternoon in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Staff are not answering phones at the company’s Sidcup headquarters and there is no indication on its website www.pinnacle-entertainment.co.uk. However, adminstrators Matthew Tait and David Gilbert at BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed the news this afternoon." [MusicWeek]
Amazon MP3 launches in the UK
"Amazon has soft launched its long-awaited MP3 store in the UK, offering MP3 downloads from all four of the majors and several independent labels at bargain prices. Amazon launched its MP3 store in the US late in 2007 and promised at Midem 2008 that it would roll this out globally by the end of the year.
The launch has been long rumoured, with early reports suggesting that it would launch in September. The site, which operates off the main Amazon.co.uk site, is competing on price, with albums such as Take That’s The Circus available for just £3. Hits such as Girls Alouds’ Promises are available at 59p. Tracks on the site are encoded using variable bit rates for maximum audio quality and smaller file sizes, aiming at an average of 256kbps." [MusicWeek]
Online seen claiming 41 pct share of U.S. music market
"Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the U.S. music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, Forrester Research said in a report released on Monday. The report titled "U.S. Music Forecast, 2008 to 2013" also forecast that 55 percent of U.S. online consumers will pay to download digital music in 2013.
JupiterResearch, a division of Massachusetts-based independent company Forrester Research, said in the report that growth in digital music sales will not compensate for declining CD sales, with the overall U.S. music market shrinking over the next five years from its current level of $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion.
The report also noted crossover between CD and digital music purchases. In a survey, researchers found that 64 percent of subscribers to digital music services and 57 percent of consumers who download music have bought a CD in a store in the past year.
The Forrester Research report comes as digital music sales have emerged as the main growth sector for the U.S. music industry. While online piracy has long accounted for the bulk of digital music downloads, the Forrester Research report noted that paying for music downloads is increasingly popular. The researchers also credited companies such as Amazon.com Inc with helping propel digital music sales by allowing consumers to buy digital music that can be transferred between different devices without restrictions." [Reuters]
Worst Industry Statement of 2008
"Seymour Stein, VP at Warner Music Group and founder of Sire Records, as quoted by the Globe and Mail: We blew it. The first major music labels were all phonograph manufacturers, but by the time the Beatles came along, most companies were no longer involved in the hardware. Had we remained in control of the hardware, we wouldn't be hurting as much as we are now. And the iPod would be ours.
This is a joke, right? I get his attempt at logic, but the argument is not only quite a stretch, it is a sad combination of wishful thinking and Monday morning quarterbacking. More realistic would be something like, "We should have got into management, ticketing, e-commerce and merchandise when we had the chance." Either way, such exercises are moot. No point talking about what could have been. Just worry about what is possible." [Coolfer]
"U.K. independent labels trade body AIM has called an emergency meeting after independent distribution company Pinnacle Entertainment went into administration. Although calls at the company's HQ in Sidcup, Kent were not answered, accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed it had been appointed as the administrator today (Dec. 3). The move is roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Following an initial review of the company, 94 staff have been made redundant.
Pinnacle claimed to distribute releases from more than 400 record labels, as well as DVDs and software. It handled releases by Dramatico, including Katie Melua, as well as Bella Union and One Little Indian. "The Katie Melua Collection" is one of the biggest current releases affected." [Billboard]
Pinnacle Collapse A 'Nightmare' For Indies
"U.K. independent labels' representatives have consulted a lawyer through trade body AIM after independent distribution company Pinnacle went into administration on Dec. 3, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Around 60 labels were represented at the meeting today (Dec. 4) at AIM's HQ in Chiswick, west London, along with authors' collecting society MCPS, iTunes and Pinnacle's digital management partner Consolidated Independent.
The mood was described as "very serious" by one attendee, although Cooking Vinyl founder and managing director Martin Goldschmidt tells Billboard.biz, "It's a horrible time but the meeting was very productive."
At least 300 physical release labels are affected and even more digital labels; U.S. acts affected include Sub Pop's Fleet Foxes, licensed to Bella Union in the U.K.
Label bosses consulted with barrister Philip Flower, a specialist in corporate insolvency. It has emerged that many labels are unhappy with the terms offered by the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward regarding the return of stock." [Billboard]
Pinnacle goes into administration
"Distributor Pinnacle has gone into administration, with the loss of 94 jobs. The company, which distributes labels such as Dramatico and One Little Indian, reportedly told staff the news this morning. Senior executives are believed to be in meetings this afternoon in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Staff are not answering phones at the company’s Sidcup headquarters and there is no indication on its website www.pinnacle-entertainment.co.uk. However, adminstrators Matthew Tait and David Gilbert at BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed the news this afternoon." [MusicWeek]
Amazon MP3 launches in the UK
"Amazon has soft launched its long-awaited MP3 store in the UK, offering MP3 downloads from all four of the majors and several independent labels at bargain prices. Amazon launched its MP3 store in the US late in 2007 and promised at Midem 2008 that it would roll this out globally by the end of the year.
The launch has been long rumoured, with early reports suggesting that it would launch in September. The site, which operates off the main Amazon.co.uk site, is competing on price, with albums such as Take That’s The Circus available for just £3. Hits such as Girls Alouds’ Promises are available at 59p. Tracks on the site are encoded using variable bit rates for maximum audio quality and smaller file sizes, aiming at an average of 256kbps." [MusicWeek]
Online seen claiming 41 pct share of U.S. music market
"Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the U.S. music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, Forrester Research said in a report released on Monday. The report titled "U.S. Music Forecast, 2008 to 2013" also forecast that 55 percent of U.S. online consumers will pay to download digital music in 2013.
JupiterResearch, a division of Massachusetts-based independent company Forrester Research, said in the report that growth in digital music sales will not compensate for declining CD sales, with the overall U.S. music market shrinking over the next five years from its current level of $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion.
The report also noted crossover between CD and digital music purchases. In a survey, researchers found that 64 percent of subscribers to digital music services and 57 percent of consumers who download music have bought a CD in a store in the past year.
The Forrester Research report comes as digital music sales have emerged as the main growth sector for the U.S. music industry. While online piracy has long accounted for the bulk of digital music downloads, the Forrester Research report noted that paying for music downloads is increasingly popular. The researchers also credited companies such as Amazon.com Inc with helping propel digital music sales by allowing consumers to buy digital music that can be transferred between different devices without restrictions." [Reuters]
Worst Industry Statement of 2008
"Seymour Stein, VP at Warner Music Group and founder of Sire Records, as quoted by the Globe and Mail: We blew it. The first major music labels were all phonograph manufacturers, but by the time the Beatles came along, most companies were no longer involved in the hardware. Had we remained in control of the hardware, we wouldn't be hurting as much as we are now. And the iPod would be ours.
This is a joke, right? I get his attempt at logic, but the argument is not only quite a stretch, it is a sad combination of wishful thinking and Monday morning quarterbacking. More realistic would be something like, "We should have got into management, ticketing, e-commerce and merchandise when we had the chance." Either way, such exercises are moot. No point talking about what could have been. Just worry about what is possible." [Coolfer]
12/3/08
Music News Bulletin - 03/12/08
Digital Growth Won’t Stop Overall Music Sales From Shrinking, According To Forecast
"US digital music sales will grow by 17 percent per year on average over the next five years, to make up 41 percent of sales by 2013, Forrester’s latest Jupiterresearch forecast says. But that won’t stop overall sales shrinking by 0.8 percent per year on average from $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion. Citing sticking points in the digital world and an acceleration in CDs’ decline, Forrester revised its forecast from a 7.1 percent annual drop to 8.7 percent following poor 2007 CD sales." [PaidContent]
"While two B.C. festivals celebrate film and music, players behind the scenes thrash out how their businesses can survive
11/28/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 28/11/08
Monopoly of collecting societies' activities: infringement proceedings against the Czech Republic and Hungary
"The European Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to the Czech Republic and Hungary on the grounds of obstacles to the freedom of establishment and to the freedom to provide services as a result of the monopolies granted to national rights management companies.
Czech and Hungarian laws provide that a single collecting society may be authorised to operate in their respective countries for each type of right and work. This monopoly granted to national companies bans collecting societies set up in other Member States from undertaking any form of activity and denies them the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services. The Commission has doubts as to the justification of those national measures in the light of their negative effects on two of the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the EC Treaty." [Europa]
The latest information on infringement proceedings concerning all Member States is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/index_en.htm
EMI Music CEO Applauds Govt Action On ISPs
"EMI Music CEO Elio Leoni-Sceti has spoken of his support for the U.K. government's and others' attempts to get ISPs to tackle illegal file-sharing, while admitting the music industry failed to adapt to changes in consumer behavior. Leoni-Sceti appeared at U.K. media/telecoms regulator Ofcom's Next Generation Net Generation conference in London. Vivendi chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy was also among the business leaders at the conference.
The EMI Music CEO appeared on a panel, "Global Content Economy - Challenges for Business," alongside executives including Telefonica Europe CEO Ronan Dunne, Nikesh Arora, president EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) operations, Google, and Roma Khanna, president, global networks & digital initiatives at NBC Universal. Pledging to transform EMI into a "consumer-focused music company," Leoni-Sceti commented: "The new EMI wants to be the most consumer-led, innovative music company in the world - that means listening to our consumers and putting the consumer experience at the heart of our business strategy."A consultation process was recently concluded by the U.K. government, following this summer's brokering of a Memorandum of Understanding between the music industry and ISPs. Part of the agreement includes a pledge by ISPs to write letters to customers who are involved in illegal peer-to-peer activity." [BillBoard] [CMUDaily]
Artists send video message to PM over copyright term
"More from the campaign to persuade Gordon Brown to increase the recorded music copyright term now - and this time the protests have been presented in video form. As much much previously reported, record labels and recording artists have been lobbying the government regarding extending the recording copyright from 50 to 95 years for ages now; the former because the legendary recordings of the rock n roll era are about to come out of copyright; the latter because there is a whole generation of session musicians who will soon start to lose the royalty payments that stem from recordings they worked on in the sixties, which for some are a bulk of their earnings. " [CMUDaily]
EURO LICENSING: THE HARD ROAD AHEAD
"There is no 'us' and 'them' any longer. With nearly 50% of all music consumed by Europeans classified as international repertoire and the rest considered to be essential local music preserving the cultural identities of each European Union (EU) nation, the troubled state of licensing digital publishing rights is not, as some said a few years back, 'a European problem.' After intervention by the European Commission (EC), the current structures for licensing these rights are seen by some to be as volatile as the financial markets. How everyone responds to the situation will inevitably impact the future of recorded music, music publishing, digital and mobile music services and broadcasting -- and everyone else in the creator-to-consumer chain of distribution. Considering the importance of intellectual property as a significant contributor to worldwide economies, figuring out solutions during this economic crisis, in the midst of the physical-to-digital music transition, becomes even more essential.
Music Confidential reached out to senior executives and lawyers throughout Europe to shed some light, and perhaps a bit of insight, on problems and possible solutions following the EC's mandate to restructure rights and operating procedures among the network of collecting societies. Despite an extraordinary amount of angst and concern among the interested parties, there are opportunities and some optimism to report." [MusicConfidential]
Conference calls on WIPO to Boost Support for Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights
"A conference on the future evolution of collective management of copyright and related rights in Europe has called on WIPO to step up efforts to help stakeholders address the emerging challenges facing collective management. Participants urged WIPO to strengthen the copyright infrastructure so as to support creative industries and promote social, economic and cultural development.
The Conference on Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights in Europe, held in Brussels from November 24 to 25, 2008, was organized by WIPO in association with the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC) and in cooperation with the Association of European Performers’ Organisations (AEPO-ARTIS), and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)." [WIPO]
The European IP market needs a revolution
"The European R&D and patenting world treat intellectual property as a legal right and nothing else. Most companies and investors want that attitude to change. If it does, a number of exciting possibilities can begin to emerge.What Europe needs most is intermediaries from outside the law
A recent EPO survey revealed that 60% of European companies do not care if the inventions and technologies they find and use are patented or not (which surely helps explain the modest levels of patent registrations in many EU countries!). At the same time, however, countless European surveys have revealed that technological innovation is the priority for the EU's institutions, as well as national and regional governments, industrial associations and others; and that European companies are very keen to improve technological innovation (including R&D outsourcing) as key weapon in the global competition race.
These conflicting findings tell us a few key things about the type of IP market Europe should adopt, given that improving its existing one is an official target, as set out by EU leaders in the Lisbon Agreement."
The complete article (and the accompanying charts) in .pdf format is saved on the shared file (in the Monitoring section). A text version can be read on:
http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:3BkUjCSMfg8J:www.wipo.int/sme/en/best_practices/pdf/european_ip_market.pdf+WIPO+European+IP+Market+needs+a+revolution&hl=nl&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=be [WIPO]
"The European Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to the Czech Republic and Hungary on the grounds of obstacles to the freedom of establishment and to the freedom to provide services as a result of the monopolies granted to national rights management companies.
Czech and Hungarian laws provide that a single collecting society may be authorised to operate in their respective countries for each type of right and work. This monopoly granted to national companies bans collecting societies set up in other Member States from undertaking any form of activity and denies them the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services. The Commission has doubts as to the justification of those national measures in the light of their negative effects on two of the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the EC Treaty." [Europa]
The latest information on infringement proceedings concerning all Member States is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/index_en.htm
EMI Music CEO Applauds Govt Action On ISPs
"EMI Music CEO Elio Leoni-Sceti has spoken of his support for the U.K. government's and others' attempts to get ISPs to tackle illegal file-sharing, while admitting the music industry failed to adapt to changes in consumer behavior. Leoni-Sceti appeared at U.K. media/telecoms regulator Ofcom's Next Generation Net Generation conference in London. Vivendi chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy was also among the business leaders at the conference.
The EMI Music CEO appeared on a panel, "Global Content Economy - Challenges for Business," alongside executives including Telefonica Europe CEO Ronan Dunne, Nikesh Arora, president EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) operations, Google, and Roma Khanna, president, global networks & digital initiatives at NBC Universal. Pledging to transform EMI into a "consumer-focused music company," Leoni-Sceti commented: "The new EMI wants to be the most consumer-led, innovative music company in the world - that means listening to our consumers and putting the consumer experience at the heart of our business strategy."A consultation process was recently concluded by the U.K. government, following this summer's brokering of a Memorandum of Understanding between the music industry and ISPs. Part of the agreement includes a pledge by ISPs to write letters to customers who are involved in illegal peer-to-peer activity." [BillBoard] [CMUDaily]
Artists send video message to PM over copyright term
"More from the campaign to persuade Gordon Brown to increase the recorded music copyright term now - and this time the protests have been presented in video form. As much much previously reported, record labels and recording artists have been lobbying the government regarding extending the recording copyright from 50 to 95 years for ages now; the former because the legendary recordings of the rock n roll era are about to come out of copyright; the latter because there is a whole generation of session musicians who will soon start to lose the royalty payments that stem from recordings they worked on in the sixties, which for some are a bulk of their earnings. " [CMUDaily]
EURO LICENSING: THE HARD ROAD AHEAD
"There is no 'us' and 'them' any longer. With nearly 50% of all music consumed by Europeans classified as international repertoire and the rest considered to be essential local music preserving the cultural identities of each European Union (EU) nation, the troubled state of licensing digital publishing rights is not, as some said a few years back, 'a European problem.' After intervention by the European Commission (EC), the current structures for licensing these rights are seen by some to be as volatile as the financial markets. How everyone responds to the situation will inevitably impact the future of recorded music, music publishing, digital and mobile music services and broadcasting -- and everyone else in the creator-to-consumer chain of distribution. Considering the importance of intellectual property as a significant contributor to worldwide economies, figuring out solutions during this economic crisis, in the midst of the physical-to-digital music transition, becomes even more essential.
Music Confidential reached out to senior executives and lawyers throughout Europe to shed some light, and perhaps a bit of insight, on problems and possible solutions following the EC's mandate to restructure rights and operating procedures among the network of collecting societies. Despite an extraordinary amount of angst and concern among the interested parties, there are opportunities and some optimism to report." [MusicConfidential]
Conference calls on WIPO to Boost Support for Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights
"A conference on the future evolution of collective management of copyright and related rights in Europe has called on WIPO to step up efforts to help stakeholders address the emerging challenges facing collective management. Participants urged WIPO to strengthen the copyright infrastructure so as to support creative industries and promote social, economic and cultural development.
The Conference on Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights in Europe, held in Brussels from November 24 to 25, 2008, was organized by WIPO in association with the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC) and in cooperation with the Association of European Performers’ Organisations (AEPO-ARTIS), and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)." [WIPO]
The European IP market needs a revolution
"The European R&D and patenting world treat intellectual property as a legal right and nothing else. Most companies and investors want that attitude to change. If it does, a number of exciting possibilities can begin to emerge.What Europe needs most is intermediaries from outside the law
A recent EPO survey revealed that 60% of European companies do not care if the inventions and technologies they find and use are patented or not (which surely helps explain the modest levels of patent registrations in many EU countries!). At the same time, however, countless European surveys have revealed that technological innovation is the priority for the EU's institutions, as well as national and regional governments, industrial associations and others; and that European companies are very keen to improve technological innovation (including R&D outsourcing) as key weapon in the global competition race.
These conflicting findings tell us a few key things about the type of IP market Europe should adopt, given that improving its existing one is an official target, as set out by EU leaders in the Lisbon Agreement."
The complete article (and the accompanying charts) in .pdf format is saved on the shared file (in the Monitoring section). A text version can be read on:
http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:3BkUjCSMfg8J:www.wipo.int/sme/en/best_practices/pdf/european_ip_market.pdf+WIPO+European+IP+Market+needs+a+revolution&hl=nl&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=be [WIPO]
11/22/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 20/11/08
How to destroy the music business
"Having dealt with Mr. Masnick's self-immolating attack on my analysis of Thomas, I must now even more emphatically reject Mr. Masnick's absurd claim that he "proved" that my paper on Free Culture mischaracterized the views that Professor Lawrence Lessig expressed in Code, a deplorable book advocating government control of the Internet and lawsuits against programmers. Frankly, mischaracterizing Lessig is pointless: quoting him suffices. Nevertheless, Mr. Masnick claimed, "The worst was when a variety of others pointed out Sydnor's out of context comments [sic] and put them back into context--and Sydnor still stood by the paper, refusing to admit he took a single comment out of content."
Nonsense: I stand by my paper because Mr. Masnick and "others" failed to quibble successfully even about details wholly tangential to its main argument. As Mr. Masnick's post indicates, his quibbles claimed that I had unfairly portrayed Lessig as a "communist sympathizer."" [IPCentral]
Asinine lawsuit from French music interests targets Sourceforge
"
11/17/08
Music News Bulletin - 17/11/08
Glastonbury 2008 fails to make a profit November 3 2008
"Organiser Michael Eavis cites rising costs as the reason behind the festival's failure to make money for the first time in nearly four decades
"Bauer Media, the people behind magazines such as Q and Mojo, have released the results of a five-year study. And guess what? People still like listening to music.
Bauer Media, the people behind magazines such as Q and Mojo, have released the results of a five-year study named Project Phoenix, delving into the habits of music consumers." [Guardian]
GRAMMY Northwest MusicTech Summit Keynote Nov 17
10/27/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 27/10/08
Music trade unites to fight against piracy October 27 2008
"A new umbrella organisation formed to represent Britain's entire music industry will today promise to deliver a five-year plan to plot a safer course for a sector that has been battered in the past decade.
UK Music intends to replace the disparate voices of the confusing tangle of bodies that previously represented the industry, frequently with conflicting viewpoints." [Guardian]
Behind the music at Musexpo: Can we fix a 'broken' industry?
"This week's conference in London brought into focus the lack of trust and transparency that is rife in the music industry
This week, the decision makers of the music industry rolled into London for the music conference Musexpo. Musexpo started out with three music executives having dinner in LA. Sat Bisla, one of the diners, realised that there needed to be more communication between the different areas of the music industry and started a yearly event." [Guardian]
"A new umbrella organisation formed to represent Britain's entire music industry will today promise to deliver a five-year plan to plot a safer course for a sector that has been battered in the past decade.
UK Music intends to replace the disparate voices of the confusing tangle of bodies that previously represented the industry, frequently with conflicting viewpoints." [Guardian]
Behind the music at Musexpo: Can we fix a 'broken' industry?
"This week's conference in London brought into focus the lack of trust and transparency that is rife in the music industry
This week, the decision makers of the music industry rolled into London for the music conference Musexpo. Musexpo started out with three music executives having dinner in LA. Sat Bisla, one of the diners, realised that there needed to be more communication between the different areas of the music industry and started a yearly event." [Guardian]
7/30/08
Music News Bulletin - 30/07/08
Inside Views: A New Business Model For The Music Industry Explained
The major record labels have set the industry’s internet agenda overall. They are single-mindedly committed to making the internet safe for sale of recordings on terms and conditions that they alone decide. They risked everything on the false hope that through a combination of DRM [digital rights management] and the force of law they could contain unauthorised internet distribution of recordings." [IPWatch]
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