AfterDawn: News

Record Industry welcomes EU changes to copyright term

Copyright protection extended in European Union from 50, to 70 years.

The Directive extends the term of protection for performance and producers of musical works to 70 years, closer to the protection that is offered to authors and composers, which is life + 70 years. It also narrows the gap between the term of protection in Europe and that of other countries and regions, where term of protection can range from 70 to 95 years.



It was adopted on Monday by the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels after a vote in the European Parliament in 2009. Governments of member states will implement the Directive to national law over the next couple of years.

Plácido Domingo, chairman of IFPI:
"The decision to extend the term of protection for recordings in Europe is great news for performing artists. Artists at the start of their careers will benefit from an increased pool of revenue that will be available to invest in new talent. Established artists can benefit from their work throughout their lifetimes. This is especially important today when licensed digital services make music widely available online. Extension of protection also reflects the important role performers play in the success of songs by narrowing the gap between the protection offered to recorded performances and that offered to compositions."

Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI
"This is a victory for fairness. With this decision, the European Union is giving artists and producers in Europe the fair treatment they deserve. The extension of the term of protection to 70 years narrows the gap between Europe and its international partners and improves the conditions for investment in new talent. Over 38,000 artists and performers petitioned for this extension, supported by right holders from across the European music sector. Their calls have been heeded, and we thank the European Commission for having the vision to table this Directive, the European Parliament for giving it resounding support and the Member States, led on this occasion by the Polish Presidency of the EU, for making term extension a reality."

Written by: James Delahunty @ 13 Sep 2011 1:40

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• 4 comments

• patrick_

  ridiculous! 20 years would be more than enough.
  

  13.9.2011 05:44 #1

• Clam_Up

  The abuse of Copyright law is getting so ridiculous that people are going to stop having any respect for it whatsoever. And when that happens, it doesn't take much for people to lose respect for the law in general. Won't that be fun?
  

  13.9.2011 12:20 #2

• Interestx

  Laughably idiotic.
  The museum society beckons.
  This absolute denial that all man's works are based on the works of others is just a recipe for stagnation & a lack of innovation.
  
  All so greedy corporations (who are the ones driving this nonsense) can continue to rake in profits from individuals work for an indefinite period (their wet dream) & long after the inventors/creators have died.
  
  It's absurd & deeply damaging to society.
  

  13.9.2011 15:02 #3

• Dr_Shifty

  Originally posted by Interestx: can continue to rake in profits from individuals work for an indefinite period (their wet dream) & long after the inventors/creators have died.
  One of the reasons for the time extension is because there are recording artists who have racked up 50 years of professional work already. Consider those who started recording at 15 and are now 65. It means they no longer have claim to their own work under the old regime.
  
  The effect would be that anybody could publish their early recordings and the artist gets nothing. Extending the time means they have income from their work until they turn 85.
  
  
  

  21.9.2011 08:32 #4