Sound recordings, like all creative works, are protected by copyright. However, whilst compositions, films, broadcasts and other works are afforded a copyright term of the life of the creator plus 70 years, under current EU law, sound recordings and the performances within them are protected by copyright for just 50 years.
This unfairness at the heart of music copyrights means that performers are often being denied the ability to earn royalties from people enjoying their works during their own lifetimes. It also deprives record companies of royalty streams which would otherwise be ploughed back into the investment in new artists.
The BPI is working together with other organisations across the music community to end this unfairness and to see sound recording and performers rights extended to 95 years. A Draft Directive from the European Commission is currently under consideration by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. The UK government said in December 2008 that it is willing to consider supporting the European Commission’s proposal to extend term, provided that there are clear benefits to performers.
The BPI, along with others in the music community, is working to develop a proposal which will work within the framework of the Directive to ensure that performers do benefit from term extension.