Songwriters, artists, producers, musicians and managers in the UK have united to launch an umbrella trade body, the UK Council of Music Makers (CMM).
The organisation is comprised of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, The Featured Artists Coalition, Music Managers Forum, Music Producers Guild and the Musicians’ Union.
The CMM will campaign to ensure that music makers — who contribute to the music industry’s £4.4bn GVA to the UK economy — can thrive in the digital age.
Focus areas will include modernising the legal framework for intellectual property post-Brexit, transparency, updating pre-digital era contracts, ensuring contracts are fair, addressing value gaps and inequalities, and reviewing revenue flows.
Commenting on the result of the EU Copyright Directive vote yesterday, the CMM said: “The CMM commends the positive progress made with the vote result.
“the full package of the proposed EU Copyright Directive will promote a sustainable, innovative music business with music makers at its heart.”
“We have supported the activity of our UK and European counterparts on this matter and lobbied at home and in Brussels, to ensure that our message is heard on the importance of the Copyright Directive as an opportunity to modernise the laws and commercial landscape governing how music makers get paid and how music fans engage with music.
“Music makers bring untold joy and entertainment to the masses. They are significant contributors to culture, as well as providing a grand boost to the economy beyond most other sectors.
“The CMM believes that the full package of the proposed EU Copyright Directive as a whole will support our community, help modernise the industry, encourage a healthier market with fairness and transparency, and promote a sustainable, innovative music business with music makers at its heart.
“This is vital in ensuring music makers are clearly and adequately remunerated for their work.”
CMM Patron and artist Imogen Heap said: “As a music maker in the digital era, and as part of CMM, I want to ensure the future is positive, progressive, and flourishing for creators in their development and beyond.
“The current climate around the economics of streaming and the digital transition of the music business has been hampered by outdated laws and outmoded contracts which can be convoluted, confusing and unfair.”
imogen heap
“The current climate around the economics of streaming and the digital transition of the music business has been hampered by outdated laws and outmoded contracts which can be convoluted, confusing and unfair – particularly for those music makers without the resources to fully understand or challenge them.
“With collective voice and clout as the CMM, we pledge to take action on such issues with government, working with the Intellectual Property Office and others, to create an economy in which music makers can progress and thrive alongside innovations in technology.”
“The CMM wants to change the broken economics creatives face. The current model is failing future talent while it is based on the past.”
cam blackwood
Record producer Cam Blackwood added: “Music makers are the foundation and the future of the music business.
“The CMM wants to change the broken economics creatives face. The current model is failing future talent while it is based on the past.
“The CMM is here to make sure it’s sustainable.”
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