Posted February 17, 200817 yr Copyright Protection For European Performers May Be Increased The European Union said that it would seek to extend copyright protection for singers and musicians to 95 years - rather than the current 50 - a move designed to prevent performers from losing out in later life. This proposal should be ready for adoption by the EU Commission before the summer break of 2008. The proposals would extend to EU performers the entitlements to royalty payments enjoyed by their counterparts in the United States, and by composers in Europe, most of whom have 70 years of copyright protection. McCreevy said that, with longer life expectancy, 50 years of copyright protection did not give artists a guaranteed lifetime income. 'If nothing is done, thousands of European performers who recorded in the late 1950s and 1960s will lose all of their airplay royalties over the next 10 years', McCreevy said. The proposal, which needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament, is designed to benefit not just big names like Cliff Richard and Charles Aznavour, but session and lesser-known musicians, McCreevy said. The proposals were widely welcomed by the music industry. The commission also wants to revisit a reform of copyright levies charged on blank discs, data storage and music and video players. These charges, which vary widely among European countries, help to compensate artists and copyright holders for legal copying of their material. As most fans are aware the UK market is flooded with PD releases, from multiple labels, of Elvis' 1956 & 57 recordings. (News, Source;EIN)
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