Four major industry groups have pushed for a better system to attribute works and credits to all artists.
The Artists Rights Alliance, SAG-AFTRA, the RIAA, and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) have announced a new collaboration. These organizations have banded together in support of building a more robust and effective system of digital attribution and credits.
The music advocacy groups – including organizations representing artists and labels – agree on one thing. Artists, labels, and publishers need a better system of attribution. To that end, the collaboration will focus on the creation of a ‘state of the art’ credits system.
Hoping to adapt the system for the digital age, the four groups explained,
“Attribution recognizes artistic achievement, helps creators connect, collaborate, and appreciate each other’s work, opens up new pathways for fans to trace artistic influences, and find new music, and aids accuracy in the digital royalty economy.”
According to them, current systems of attribution now remain less robust and consistent. Attribution today, they continue, is less expensive. However, modern digital music services only identify the featured artist/band and the track and album name.
Stating that credits remain a “creator’s resume” and a “learning tool” for fans, the groups write,
“Knowing what music an artist or songwriter has made or contributed to can help them find more fans and build and sustain their careers over time.”
The groups explain that the proliferation of new devices (including screens) and listening methods (portable devices, vehicle consoles, and home assistants, among others) have created new opportunities and options for greater availability of attribution, credits, and expanded liner notes for the digital age.
“A multi-media environment should offer new and creative ways to provide this information and context, not limit and shrink it.”
The groups conclude they have now collaborated “with everyone in the music ecosystem” to develop and implement this system. This, they say, will ultimately benefit both creators and consumers alike.