Copyright protection for sound recordings by European performers may be extended from 50 to 95 years in recognition of the fact that many performers lose the right to airplay royalties for their sound recording before the end of their lives, and consequently may lose their only source of pension.
Announcing his proposals, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy, said, “I have not seen a convincing reason why a composer of music should benefit from a term of copyright which extends to the composer’s life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should only enjoy 50 years …” Record companies will have to set up a fund reserving at least 20% of the income generated during the extended term.
Published: 25-02-2008