Europe fails to agree new music copyright deal
Friday March 27 2009
The Musicians' Union tonight urged the Government to ``move heaven and earth'' to extend copyright protection for recording artists after talks on a deal broke down in Brussels.
EU ambassadors failed to agree on plans to virtually double copyright protection to give musicians and performers copyright safeguards for 95 years instead of losing the rights to their own works after 50 years.
The idea was proposed by EU Single Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, and has already been backed by a committee of MEPs.
But the UK Government wants the extension limited to 70 years, with better guarantees that the continuing royalties go to artists and their families rather than music companies.
Ten other member states had reservations too, ensuring no backing for the plan at this stage.
