IMPEL, which represents the online rights of nearly 50 independent music publishers, is becoming a fully autonomous organization – following in the footsteps of recorded music rights agency Merlin.
Up until now IMPEL has been a trading name for a group of music publishers who have given multi-territory online rights to the UK’s Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) – but over the next few weeks, IMPEL’s rights will be transferred out of MCPS into a new, standalone company.
That new firm, IMPEL Collective Management Limited, will continue to trade as IMPEL.
The transition out of MCPS is expected to be completed by April 2018.
In a press release, the org called the move “the realisation of a long-held ambition for IMPEL, creating a standalone entity which is entirely focused on its independent members’ interests”.
A new membership agreement for IMPEL members will ensure that IMPEL is set up to operate internationally and will facilitate licensing opportunities for its members on a global basis.
“It is no secret that IMPEL has aspirations towards the success of Merlin and this is the next step on that mission.”
Simon Platz, IMPEL
IMPEL, via its near-50 publisher members, represents cuts in hits recorded by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Drake, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Glass Animals, Rag N Bone Man and Camila Cabello.
These publishers look after songwriters such as Ina Wroldsen (Reservoir), Sampha (Beggars), Amy Wadge (BDi Music), Imani Williams (Sentric) and Tom Petty (Wixen).
As a separate company, IMPEL will be owned by its members, regardless of whether members are based in the UK or internationally.
Under this new structure, IMPEL will become a collection society, subject to the requirements of transparency and efficiency set by the European CRM directive.
Furthermore, IMPEL will be more flexible by offering non-exclusivity to members outside of the core IMPEL European territories. This is also expected to be implemented by April 2018.
Jane Dyball, CEO of the MPA Group of Companies, said: “In a highly competitive market there is a group of independent music publishers who are firmly committed to sticking together to improve their position in the digital landscape, and to provide a nimble and adaptable service to their members.”
Simon Platz, Chair of IMPEL, said: “It is no secret that IMPEL has aspirations towards the success of Merlin and this is the next step on that mission. IMPEL is owned only by independent music publishers. We are a group of publishers totally wedded to independence and totally wedded to being stronger together.”Music Business Worldwide
