The MU has joined the debate about streaming services and remuneration for artists that was recently highlighted by the row between Taylor Swift and Apple Music.
AGS Horace Trubridge had a letter published in the Times which pointed out that the main problem with streaming services remains that most of the money goes to the major record labels rather than the musicians.
The full text of the letter read as follows:
"Good for Taylor Swift. She is absolutely right that it is ‘unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing.’ And yet musicians are asked to do this time and time again. She has, rightly, won her battle with Apple Music, but the battle for musicians to get fair remuneration from streaming services continues.
The Fair Internet for Performers campaign (fair-internet.eu) is a Europe-wide performers’ initiative lobbying for a change in copyright law which would ensure that where performers transfer or assign their exclusive making available right to the producer, they should retain an unassignable right to receive equitable remuneration.
Put simply, it would stop most of the money going to the major record labels rather than the musicians. If it is successful, Ms Swift and her less well paid musician colleagues would finally be in a position to benefit fairly from streaming services."
The MU is also discussing this issue with MPs in parliament and we intend to continue to lobby for fair remuneration for performers throughout the year, with a TUC motion planned and an event in parliament also on the horizon.