A new bill aims to ensure musicians are paid properly for streams of their music.
Dubbed the ‘Brennan Bill’, the proposed legislation is set to be presented to Parliament on December 3.
Its main backs – the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy – will be joined by MPs and artists alike on Parliament Square to share their support.
Officially titled the Copyright (Rights And Remuneration Of Musicians) Private Member’s Bill, and presented by Kevin Brennan MP, its main aim is to “ensure performers and composers are properly remunerated, by placing the treatment of revenue gained from music streaming services onto a common footing with the treatment of revenue gained from other sources.”
Brennan said: “More and more people are streaming music – heightened by the pandemic – yet, unlike for radio, there is no guaranteed royalty payment for all the musicians who have contributed to the recording being streamed.
“To redress this, my Private Member’s Bill seeks to allow performers and composers to access means to ensure a fair sharing of revenues generated from their works.
“In particular, the Bill will introduce a right to equitable remuneration for performers on musical works, where works that they have performed upon are made available to the public.”
Naomi Pohl, Deputy General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, added: “The domination of the major music groups in the streaming market is clear.
“Musicians and songwriters are not getting a fair enough deal and legislative reform is overdue. Now is the time to address the imbalances in the music industry and in music streaming in particular.
“We are calling on the Government to allow a free vote on the Brennan Bill on December 3. Members across the House of Commons have already voiced their support for the Bill, showing the depth of bi-partisan commitment to fixing streaming to ensure performers are fairly paid for their streamed music.”
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Commons Select Committee has been examining the streaming model since last year to determine whether or not it is fair to songwriters and performers.
