Radiohead against the Commission

Published on 12 July 2012 at 11:03

Artists from some of the world’s best-known rock bands — including Radiohead and Pink Floyd — have accused the European Commission of “breaking promises” over musicians’ missing royalties, reports the Daily Telegraph. This comes as a draft lawon how royalties can be collected was unveiled by the Commission yesterday. The London daily writes —

The laws are designed to force the companies that collect royalties on the behalf of artists to hand them over at a speedier rate. So-called “collection societies” have been accused of keeping “substantial amounts of money” on their books, by the Commission.

However, the draft laws will allow societies 12 months - after the financial year in which a song was played - to pay royalties. If the royalty-owner remains unidentified, the funds can be kept by the collecting society after five years.

In a letter addressed to Commission, rock stars furious about delays to payment of royalties, like Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, stated —

Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday

You have broken your promises and encourage the management of collecting societies to keep the fruits of our creativity. You thus legitimise one of the most problematic forms of embezzlement adopted by some collecting societies in Europe.

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic