Law

More than 100 UK music festivals have made a pledge to tackle sexual violence by creating a safe environment for audiences, performers, and staff.

Parklife, Latitude and Boardmasters are among the festivals to sign an updated charter, initially launched by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) in 2017.

In total, 103 festivals have signed up to the Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign, which states that all allegations of sexual harassment, assault and violence will be taken seriously, acted upon promptly and investigated. 

This is supplemented by a commitment to clear, robust reporting and disclosure procedures, including how to report incidents onsite and post event. 

Charities such as Rape Crisis England and Wales, Good Night Out and Safe Gigs for Women will provide festivals with input and guidance in shaping their policies, procedures and training.

AIF Membership & Operations Coordinator Phoebe Rodwell said: “The original Safer Spaces campaign has had a positive impact across festivals for music fans and festival staff alike. 

"Festivals are microcosms of society and sexual violence is a problem that persists in our society. Our understanding and approaches to tackling the issue are evolving all the time. 

"That’s why it’s important that we renew the Safer Spaces campaign in 2022 with up-to-date messaging, resources and practices, to prevent sexual violence and promote a survivor-led approach, helping festival organisers to fulfil their duty of care at events.”

Performers' union Equity has hailed a "landmark victory" after an employment tribunal ruled that 16 of its members had a legal right to receive holiday pay.

In an action brought through the union after the 2018 pantomime season, the tribunal ruled that the members had a legal right to receive holiday pay from QDos, now known as Crossroads Pantomimes, after it was sold to the entertainment production group Crossroads Live last year.

Crossroads Pantomimes now has to agree to provide claimants with holiday pay for the affected productions or face a remedies hearing which will enforce a settlement. 

Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming, said: “The consequences of the bravery of the Equity members in this case will send ripples through the industry. 

"Crossroads through their predecessor QDos have for many years avoided industry standards and used their powerful position to deprive our members of the pay and terms and conditions which they are due, including through tactics which the judge referred to as having a ‘potentially chilling effect’. 

"A company as big and powerful as Crossroads should be using Equity collective agreements like the overwhelming majority of major commercial producers."

A new research project and campaign aims to improve compliance with intellectual property rights.

IPO Chief Executive Tim Moss said the office will this year investigate "how society considers intellectual property" and hopefully build a new "social contract" that better protects creators' rights.

"We need to reassess the balance of return on investment and social return," Moss told attendees at a Westminster Media Forum on Friday (April 8).

Campaigns to prevent counterfeit and illegal downloads are planned.

Moss added: "It's a massive challenge but we really do need to change attitudes around IP."

Artists' representatives seeking transparency over unpaid resale royalties have commenced historic legal proceedings against multi-millionaire art dealer Ivor Braka.

The Artists’ Collecting Society (ACS) and the Design and Artists' Copyright Society (DACS) say they began making requests to Braka for information in 2006, with Braka reportedly refusing to respond.

The case is the first of their kind brought under the Artist’s Resale Right Regulations in the UK.

The regulations entitle artists to a royalty payment of up to €12,500 on the secondary sale of their works by dealers and associated art market professionals.

“The Artist’s Resale Right, now more than ever, provides invaluable financial support to artists and their estates, so it is imperative that we shine a light on those who are cutting off this essential source of income,” ACS Managing Director Harriet Bridgeman said.

Two men have been arrested for attacking a controversial sculpture by paedophile artist Eric Gill.

One spent hours bashing the artwork outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London with a hammer while the other filmed him. No charges have yet been brought, Metropolitan Police say.

Campaigners have called for the statue, which features a naked child, to be removed but the BBC reportedly plans to keep it.

The incident follows a not guilty verdict for the Colston Four, who argued toppling the infamous statue in Bristol was justified because its continued presence constituted a hate crime or act of abuse.

Ash Sarkar, a contributing editor for Novara Media, wrote on Twitter that Gill's statue "has less in common with Colston than it does the ongoing veneration of abusers in the art world".

A bill to reform musicians' rights to payment from streaming failed to progress in the House of Commons on Friday (3 December).

59 MPs voted against a second reading, with 28 voting in favour.

All 59 dissenting MPs were Conservatives despite 44 Tory MPs signing an open letter in October that asked Boris Johnson to “start paying musicians properly”.

Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman said the Government supports the DCMS Select Committee's recommendations and will work to ensure a "fair and vibrant digital creative inudstries and music sector".

Music Managers Forum Chief Executive Annabella Coldrick and Featured Artists Coalition CEO David Martin said even though the bill fell at the first hurdle, the trajectory towards eradicating "outdated industry practices" feels "unstoppable".

"The Government has delivered a very clear message to major labels, publishers and collecting societies: if you don't deliver change, then legislation cannot be ruled out."

BPI CEO Geoff Taylor said that although well-intentioned, the bill was not the right way forward for british music.

“We have listened to the arguments made across the debate and will engage positively and proactively with the process government has put in place to look for joint solutions to ensure the streaming market continues to grow and sustain the careers of many more artists.”