EU moves to free up music rights
- added July 16, 2008
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- merasyad
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Music download stores like Apple's iTunes could soon be able to operate one shop for the whole of Europe, under new rules brought in by EU regulators.
Currently, iTunes has to negotiate the right to sell music with a different society in every European state.
The European Commission says musicians should be free to choose from among the many collecting societies that handle music royalties in the 27-nation EU. The ruling will also let the societies license music in more than one country.
Music rights are sold separately in each EU member state. As a result, the US market for internet music downloads is much bigger. The commission wants the collecting societies to compete with each other in Europe and end restrictive clauses in their cross-border contracts.
The anti-trust decision should also make it easier for broadcasters to get EU-wide licences for the internet, cable television and satellite, using a single collecting society of their choice.
Currently, iTunes has to negotiate the right to sell music with a different society in every European state.
The European Commission says musicians should be free to choose from among the many collecting societies that handle music royalties in the 27-nation EU. The ruling will also let the societies license music in more than one country.
Music rights are sold separately in each EU member state. As a result, the US market for internet music downloads is much bigger. The commission wants the collecting societies to compete with each other in Europe and end restrictive clauses in their cross-border contracts.
The anti-trust decision should also make it easier for broadcasters to get EU-wide licences for the internet, cable television and satellite, using a single collecting society of their choice.
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