MPA welcomes EC directive on co-written works

The European Council today adopted a directive extending the term of protection of the rights of performers and phonogram producers of music recordings within the EU from 50 to 70 years.

The new directive also harmonises the method of calculating the term of protection of songs and other musical compositions with words created by several authors ("co-written works"). The term of protection for such works will expire 70 years after the death of the last surviving author, whether the writer of the lyrics or the composer of the music. Previously differences had existed between European countries in the term of protection offered to co-written works with some applying a single term of protection, calculated from the death of the last surviving author, whilst others applied separate terms for music and lyrics.

Stephen Navin, MPA chief executive, commented: "We welcome today's decision by the Council to adopt this important directive, and as the creators, promoters and guardians of musical works publishers will in particular welcome the move to harmonise the treatment of co-written works across Europe. Not only will this decision afford greater protection to these works, it will also help to clear the path towards more efficient multi-territorial licensing. This simplification provides clarity to the benefit of both rightsowners and music users alike as we gather pace towards the creation of a global repertoire database for musical works.

"Harmony, clarity, growth, enlightened EU legislation - a unique combination!"  

Member states will have to incorporate the new provisions into their national legislations within two years.