In a collective effort, the music industry has banded together to ensure Google finally pays music creators fairly. But will the #LoveMusic campaign work?
Following a heavily-financed smear campaign against the music industry led primarily by Google, two key copyright initiatives were voted down in the European Union several months ago.
The ‘Directive of Copyright in the Digital Services Market’ – mainly Article 11 for journalists and 13 for musicians – would have required that platforms hosting user-generated content (UGC) obtain and pay for the proper licenses. Article 13 would have effectively mandated that websites like YouTube and Vimeo pay the music industry its fair share.
The European Parliament ultimately voted against the Copyright Directive in July, 318 to 278, with 31 abstentions.
Defeating Google with love. #LoveMusic, that is.
Undeterred by the setback, the British music industry has banded together to launch a new political campaign – #LoveMusic.
Unveiling the online campaign, UK Music has called on artists, authors, and creators to defend their rights. #LoveMusic has the support from influential music industry organizations, including PRS for Music, AIM, BASCA, the BPI, the FAC, MMF, Music Publishers Association, MPG, Musicians’ Union, and PPL.
In a veiled swipe at Google, Wikipedia, and other Copyright Directive critics, UK Music wrote,
“There are some people and tech firms out there trying every trick in the book to block a change that would mean a fairer deal for pretty much everyone in the UK music business.”
Painting some members of European Parliament (MEPs) as villains, the online petition states,
“Some Members of the European Parliament [will] to do anything to stop creators from getting paid fairly for the use of creative works online.”
Speaking directly to the European Union, the campaign begs lawmakers to stop “funneling the value away” from content creators. Approving the Copyright Directive, argues UK Music, will foster growth for new and existing businesses. Article 13 will also provide “legal certainty” for consumers as well as “appropriate remuneration” for creators.
Calling out YouTube, the #LoveMusic campaign states the video platform should fairly pay musicians’ works under existing copyright laws. After all, says UK Music, musicians depend on platforms to respect their rights.
“This is our pay and the only leverage we have to negotiate fair remuneration for our works.”
But, will the new campaign work?
The #LoveMusic campaign represents a concentrated effort by the music industry to update European copyright laws.
Google currently uses the outdated laws to avoid paying artists, songwriters, labels, and performance rights organizations their fair share. According to UK Music, YouTube paid the music industry around $856 million in royalties last year. Meanwhile, established streaming music platforms – Spotify and Apple Music, among others – paid $5.6 billion.
The coordinated effort comes ahead of another crucial vote on September 12th. The European Parliament will decide the future of the Copyright Directive in the European Union.
Dismissing critics’ internet censorship claims as “scare-mongering,” UK Music said the Copyright Directive will only affect UGC platforms.
“Article 13 only applies to a very specific type of service… [Blogs, Wikipedia, and online marketplaces] are explicitly excluded, as are parodies, caricatures, and pastiche.”
Google, however, has paid lawmakers $36 million thus far to ensure this doesn’t happen. The company will likely continue shelling out money to guarantee MEPs ultimately scuttle the Copyright Directive.
So, even with the help of Paul McCartney, there’s a good chance the Copyright Directive to go down in flames once again.
I’m amazed to find the recording industry less shame then Donald trump lies as much and is as willing to destroy the internet as he is everything else all with a slightly better attitude. But at least he pays the people under his employ fairly. *i suppose* something that the the industry who cares so much for musicians claims to do but is never seen.
The EU Parliament did not exactly vote against the proposed text but postponed its examination to this september, mostly because of discrepancies between translations, especially the one in german.
Sounds like you’ve done more homework than the ‘journalist’. Thanks
Just access proper folks and teach them how to DOUBLE GOOGLE on $300B music business before 2030.
High likelihood that Larry Page and his top brass hates music and it will require united effort to LOCK MUSIC in virtual walls and away from Google before we start $300B music harvest!
Music is by far the biggest and the best media for web monetization and it is overdue for labels and well fed mega stars to WAKE UP and knock on Google’s door.
No response – get NEW FAIR USE ACT and give music new life.
I noticed that there was not only opposition from Google etc. against Article 13 but also from internet activists like Tim Berners-Lee or Sascha Lobo (of SPIEGEL magazine). It would be important to approach these people. As far as I understood they’re not against paying musicians fairly but against the proposed upload filters.