The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy and #BrokenRecord welcome Kevin Brennan MP’s Private Members Bill calling for a better deal for musicians and songwriters from streaming

17 June 2021 - Press release

 

The Bill titled: Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians, Etc.) Bill is backed by 11 cross party MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Damian Green MP and Rt Hon Esther McVey MP. It will follow up on the call by 234 artists for the government to fix streaming.  

The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy and Tom Gray’s Broken Record Campaign have written to the Prime Minister with the support of over 234 artists.  Artists include Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Chris Martin, Emeli Sande, Sir Tom Jones and the John Lennon Estate. They have called  for a better deal for musicians and songwriters from streaming, including a change to 2 words in the 1988 Copyright Designs and Patents Act which would secure guaranteed royalties for performers.  

By tightening up the law so that music streaming pays more like radio, streaming income will be put back where it belongs - in the hands of artists.  It’s their music so the income generated from it should go into their hands. 

Kevin Brennan MP is a member of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee which has been leading an inquiry on the economics of streaming that is due to be published soon.  Other members of the Select Committee supporting the Bill are Damian Green MP and Alex Davies-Jones MP. 

Kevin Brennan MP 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 record streaming revenues - my Bill will create a new right to fair remuneration for musicians when their work is played on streaming platforms” 

Esther McVey MP, said:
“Streaming has created huge opportunities for musicians, but a gap in the law means most of the income ends in the pockets of record labels, streaming platforms and digital giants, rather than in the hands of the artists.  
“This bill will help us fix streaming law so that creators and musicians get a fair share after one of the toughest years imaginable, artistic value stays here in Britain, and so that we deliver on the PM’s levelling up agenda and bring opportunity to all four corners of the UK.” 

Naomi Pohl, Deputy General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, said:
“We are thrilled that this Bill backing our campaign to secure fairer remuneration for musicians from streaming has received its first reading today. The fact that it has cross-party support is much appreciated and extremely encouraging. Thanks to Kevin Brennan MP, an MU member, who has been tireless in his efforts to highlight the struggles of today’s performers and creators. We can #FixStreaming. This Bill is a major milestone.” 

Graham Davies, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said:
“We have a fantastic opportunity to grow the UK’s creative industries by reforming copyright and contracts. These reforms are long overdue. The UK is a world-leader in the creation of music and digital content, but global competition is fierce, and we must not fall behind. Providing fair compensation for songwriters, composers and artists will ensure we retain our position as a cultural powerhouse. Many thanks to Kevin Brennan for spearheading these much-needed reforms with this Bill.”