European Parliament sides with music authors on music streaming
On Wednesday 17 January 2024, the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted an initiative report by MEP Ibán García del Blanco on Cultural Diversity and Conditions for Authors in the European Music Streaming Market. The report highlights the serious problems faced by creators and proposes the creation of initiatives/organisations across the EU to fight for a fairer and more sustainable music ecosystem in this growing market.
Despite the massive audience for music online, the availability of more than 100 million songs on streaming platforms, the exponential growth of music streaming on pure-play, social media or user-uploaded content platforms, the market is leaving most authors and songwriters insecure rather than providing them with a fair reward to build their music careers.
The report highlights the current inequitable distribution of revenues, as well as fraudulent and unfair practices that disadvantage creators. It also draws attention to the dangers of the proliferation of content generated by artificial intelligence and, last but not least, how the manipulation of streaming can lead to a reduction in cultural diversity.
The authors of the document call on the Commission to prepare a legislation that would lead to greater transparency of algorithms and systems that suggest content to users of streaming platforms. The provision should also make the works of European authors more visible and traceable in practice.
Roman Strejček, chairman of the OSA Management Board, said: "A healthy music ecosystem can only work if subscription revenues are shared fairly and transparently, which is not currently the case. This is the only way we can achieve cultural diversity and variety, where even writers and artists from fringe genres or those just starting out in their careers receive royalties from their audiences on Spotify or Apple Music. As a result, all music lovers will benefit and feel good about it. I see the fact that MEPs have clearly stood up for the rights of authors and artists as a very strong and encouraging signal of support for the creative community here at home."
GESAC President Gernot Graninger said: "By adopting the report on the music streaming market, the European Parliament is sending a strong signal that it recognises and understands of the needs of creators. The issue of fair remuneration in the streaming market needs to be addressed - not only for the benefit of creators, but also to ensure that culture remains an important driver of the European economy."
Véronique Desbrosses, Director General of GESAC, said, "We congratulate MEP Ibán García del Blanco on the successful adoption of this highly anticipated report and warmly thank all the MEPs who worked on this document and adopted it with a large majority.
The European Parliament has clearly sided with the authors and supported their legitimate demand for justice. The market for music streaming services must properly reward those who are at the heart of its success and achieve the high standards of cultural diversity that Europe expects. Now is the time for action at Union level and we look to the European Commission to take the next step and bring forward the necessary legislative proposals."
Contact us for more information:
Kateřina Růžičková
T: +420 604 149 974
E: katerina.ruzickova@osa.cz