UK Musicians Call on Government to Update Streaming Law and Regulation

July 31, 2021

In a show of solidarity, 75 artists—among them The Rolling Stones, Annie Lennox, Paloma Faith, Kano, Joan Armatrading, Chris Martin, Gary Barlow, Paul McCartney, Melanie C, Jimmy Page, Boy George, Noel Gallagher, and Kate Bush—have added their names to a joint letter calling on the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a government review of the streaming industry.

The signatories of the letter suggest that streaming share some of the EU radio’s remuneration model so that musicians are fairly compensated for their work. They also recommend an industry regulator and an immediate referral to the Competition and Markets Authority because of “evidence of multinational corporations wielding extraordinary power” over the marketplace.

While streaming continues to grow at a breakneck pace, especially during the pandemic, the system of payment for artists has not evolved in tandem. The pandemic is only exacerbating the inequities of a system that activists and critics say is rigged against the artists it relies on. Musicians are still paid little after services and labels take their respective cuts.

The renewed call to fix streaming comes on the heels of a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which said it is a “systemic problem [that] cries out for a systemic solution.” The report concluded that streaming should pay more. The letter and petition suggest that only two words need to change in the UK’s 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act so that today’s performers receive a share of revenues.

More Articles

Taking Care of Business – Recording 101: What You Need to Know

November 1, 2024

En Francais – Prendre ses affaires en main – enregistrement 101 : ce qu’il faut savoir One thing that has changed exponentially over the last few years is the ability to come up with a great recording, without spending days in a studio. Great quality home recording projects are happening everywhere. With the advancement of software […]

---

Organizing Department Gets Out the Vote

November 1, 2024

by Gabe Kristal, AFM Director of Organizing Though many members will receive their copy of International Musician after the election results are in, we wanted to highlight the importance of voting and our efforts, right up to the last minute, to help ensure we get out the vote. The AFM understands the 2024 presidential election […]

---