“Tech giants can sometimes seem unstoppable, but in Europe this week creators showed that when they speak out together with one voice, policy makers will listen and act to protect creators’ rights.” - Conversations In Advocacy #35
While the U.S. continues to fight to make changes to copyright law via the Music Modernization Act, the European Parliament has made a clear statement on where it stands on protecting copyright in the digital age. On Sept. 12, they voted on a copyright reform that would affect YouTube and similar platforms and how content, including music-related videos, is uploaded.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MEPs have voted in favour of starting negotiations with member states to update <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/copyright?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#copyright</a> laws for the digital age → Press release <a href="https://t.co/zV1ZCs9B85">https://t.co/zV1ZCs9B85</a> <a href="https://t.co/kPLc2VQKVc">pic.twitter.com/kPLc2VQKVc</a></p>— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Europarl_EN/status/1039840799050088449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Parliament members voted by a definite majority, 438 to 226, for the Copyright Directive, which seeks to update copyright in the digital age, including making online platforms liable when users upload content that infringes copyright. This means YouTube would be made accountable if users were to upload infringed copyright content on their site. This change would both benefit creators and provide accountability for online platforms that exploit their work.
Beyond music, Article 11 of the directive would grant publishers the right to ask for paid licenses when online platforms want to share their stories.
"I am very glad that despite the very strong lobbying campaign by the internet giants, there is now a majority in the full house backing the need to protect the principle of fair pay for European creatives," MEP Axel Voss, who had led the push for reform, told Billboard.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fair pay for artists and journalists online: Parliament has backed the beginning of negotiations with member states on new harmonised <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/copyright?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#copyright</a> rules. What does this mean for our memes and how will it affect the internet? → <a href="https://t.co/OMsEYYusJb">https://t.co/OMsEYYusJb</a> <a href="https://t.co/CvRh9mNQpt">pic.twitter.com/CvRh9mNQpt</a></p>— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Europarl_EN/status/1039845281070759936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In the U.S., the Music Modernization Act (MMA), if passed, would be a significant step towards getting music creators fair compensation for the work they create. The MMA has strong support from the entire music community and overwhelming bipartisan support from senators, but faces a threat by Sirius XM, who opposes the provision that calls for digital and satellite providers to pay market rate royalties for playing songs recorded before 1972.
“As elections in the U.S. get closer, the MMA has to pass this congressional session,” shares Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Industry, Government and Member Relations Officer for the Recording Academy, to Billboard.
“We all believe the MMA has to pass in this congressional session,” he said. “We have everything lined up. It’s been years in the making.”
Contact Your Senators: Tell Them To Support Comprehensive Music Reform
