European Aritists Form Coalition To Fight For Rights

Four groups representing some of Europe's top musicians, djs and managers have joined together in a call for European legislation to protect artists. Younison (Belgium), The Featured Artists Coalition (UK), Technopol (France) and DJ Monitor (Netherlands) have formed an alliance to demand European legislation which enforces "precise, regular and transparent redistribution of all revenues from the digital exploitation" of copyrighted works collected by European collecting societies. The groups collectively represent almost 5,000 artists.

Among the artists and music managers included in the alliance are Ed O’Brien (Radiohead), Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Kate Nash, Tom Barman (dEUS), Nick Mason, (Pink Floyd) KT Tunstall, Robbie Williams, Michel De Hey,  Brian Message (Radiohead ), Steve Rachmad, Laidback Luke, Joost Van Bellen, Billy Bragg, Stijn Meuris and Sandie Shaw.

“The EU is preparing new legislation which will determine how artists receive royalties and are informed by their national collecting societies This new law will be mission critical in supporting artists and creativity in the future in Europe. Together with the other artists we will use our influence to make sure that the voice of the artist is heard and that our demands are heard and included in the new Directive” said Kelvin Smits, Younison Director.

FAC Co-Chairman and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason added “In its campaign for the protection of artists' rights, FAC acknowledges the importance of EU legislation in ensuring a vibrant pan-European creative zone. We are teaming up with Younison to form a European network to ensure the voice of the artist is heard at the highest echelons of EU power. Together we are going to fight for artists’ rights.”