MMF reactive comment - Select Committee 24 Nov 2020
Annabella Coldrick, CEO, Music Managers Forum
The MMF is delighted that this hugely important inquiry has started, and that MPs have heard directly from artists and songwriters. Hopefully more will get an opportunity to do so in the coming weeks, as well as managers, labels, publishers, PROs and digital services. This needs to be a diverse and open conversation, and one that delivers tangible change beyond the Committee's recommendations.
At today's session, it was particularly welcome to hear discussions hone in on contractual reforms and improved transparency around licensing practices. Both areas need to be addressed, and it is of paramount importance that many of our industry's long-standing inefficiencies and outdated practices are overhauled. Only then will a greater number of artists and music makers benefit from the new and fast-evolving dynamics of streaming.
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THE HEADLINES
AI slop: Spotify, Tunecore, and credibility (see Comment)
Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit (see News)
EC sends UMG its statement of objections to Downtown acquisition (see News)
20 years of Spotify — who’s winning, losing and making money? (see Features)
The future of labels: Shifting sands (see Comment)
Robert Kyncl on Udio deal: Growing the value of music for artists and songwriters (see News)
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true (see Comment)
Universal's bid for Downtown is set to be hit by a formal warning from European Union watchdogs (see Business)
Reselling tickets for profit to be outlawed in UK government crackdown (see News)
Some answers to Haven's 'I Run' chart-excluded track (see News)
"Without competition, the free market becomes a monopoly" (see Opinion)
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)