The MU is collating case studies of members who have recording agreements that date back to before the emergence of downloads and streaming as the predominant way in which consumers listen to recorded music.
Many record companies are paying royalties on digital exploitation as if it is a physical sale, e.g. LP, cassette or CD. Digital exploitation of music has none of the costs associated with physical sales – manufacture, storage, distribution etc – and yet the majority of record companies pay royalties on this basis.
The MU believes that this is unfair and wants to challenge the practice.
Please email the Union’s Recording & Broadcasting Dept if:
- You are a featured artist, AND
- You signed a recording agreement in the 1960s, 70s, 80s or 90s and that agreement has never been renegotiated to provide an enhanced royalty stream for digital exploitation.