A resolution on the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market, led by Spanish MEP Iban García del Blanco, was approved by an overwhelming majority at the European Parliament Plenary on January 17. The text calls on the industry to address the imbalance in revenue allocation and ensure creators are fairly compensated from music streaming by advocating for the current “pre-digital royalty rates” to be brought in line with modern rates. It advocates for “fairer models of streaming revenue allocation” for artists and creators, including pro-rata and user-centric models. The text also condemns the use of payola schemes in music streaming, which force artists to accept lower royalty rates in exchange for increased visibility and introduces the possibility of introducing quotes for European songs or artists to protect European music works on global streaming platforms. The text also calls for an “ethical use of AI” in the cultural and creative sectors. The full resolution can be read here.
While the resolution is non-binding, the massive support it has received from MEPs (532 votes for, 61 against and 33 abstentions) puts pressure on the European Commission to address the issues in the music streaming ecosystem.
Together with our partners associations, IMRO has worked with GESAC to ensure specific priority points were included in the text. In its press release the EU noted the “commitment of the EP to address creators’ concerns and welcomes the call for an EU legislation to ensure the transparency of and cultural diversity on all music streaming platforms”.
During the debate, the MEPs said that the current global streaming model pioneered and dominated by Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Amazon Music leaves a majority of authors and performers with very low rates of pay and often means they are unable to sustain careers in music.
