A video message on behalf of 38,000 UK musicians has been sent to Gordon Brown urging him to back an extension of their copyright protection.
A video message on behalf of 38,000 UK musicians has been sent to Gordon Brown urging him to back an extension of their copyright protection.
The musicians, many of whom have worked with major artists, say they risk losing their income under current laws.
The musicians, many of whom have worked with major artists, say they risk losing their income under current laws.
Performers' copyright runs out after 50 years but for composers and authors it extends for 70 years after their death.
Performers' copyright runs out after 50 years but for composers and authors it extends for 70 years after their death.
The European Commission is backing an extension to 95 years from release, but the UK government is not supportive.
The European Commission is backing an extension to 95 years from release, but the UK government is not supportive.
The video message sent to the prime minister features 29 musicians who have recorded on tracks made by artists including Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Robbie Williams.
The video message sent to the prime minister features 29 musicians who have recorded on tracks made by artists including Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Robbie Williams.
Under current copyright laws, royalties will soon dry up for session musicians who played on classic tracks released in the 1960s, campaigners say.
Under current copyright laws, royalties will soon dry up for session musicians who played on classic tracks released in the 1960s, campaigners say.
'Scant rewards'
'Scant rewards'
The musicians have been waging an ongoing campaign for support from the government, but say their message to Mr Brown comes at a critical stage because the draft European Copyright Term Directive is currently under debate.
The musicians have been waging an ongoing campaign for support from the government, but say their message to Mr Brown comes at a critical stage because the draft European Copyright Term Directive is currently under debate.
It would extend the copyright term in sound recordings, for both the performers and the producers, from 50 to 95 years from release.
It would extend the copyright term in sound recordings, for both the performers and the producers, from 50 to 95 years from release.
The campaigners, who are backed by the PPL, which licenses sound recordings and music videos for use in broadcast and public performance, say there is widespread, cross-party support for the changes, but so far not from the government.
The campaigners, who are backed by the PPL, which licenses sound recordings and music videos for use in broadcast and public performance, say there is widespread, cross-party support for the changes, but so far not from the government.
The musicians argue that they receive scant reward for their role in a valuable export industry and deserve gratitude from the government.
The musicians argue that they receive scant reward for their role in a valuable export industry and deserve gratitude from the government.
"British session musicians are the finest in the world, the absolute finest," said Derek Wadsworth who has worked on tracks with a wide array of artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones.
"British session musicians are the finest in the world, the absolute finest," said Derek Wadsworth who has worked on tracks with a wide array of artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones.
'Gratitude'
'Gratitude'
"The amount of revenue that's been brought into this country by these people is quite staggering. Now we require the government to help us out a little bit and show perhaps a bit of gratitude."
"The amount of revenue that's been brought into this country by these people is quite staggering. Now we require the government to help us out a little bit and show perhaps a bit of gratitude."
He added: "Instead they choose to kick us in the face and ignore our campaign to extend the copyright for these people and their estate."
He added: "Instead they choose to kick us in the face and ignore our campaign to extend the copyright for these people and their estate."
Phil Pickett, a musician who played with 80s band Culture Club, said the amount of money a copyright change would provide musicians was small but important.
Phil Pickett, a musician who played with 80s band Culture Club, said the amount of money a copyright change would provide musicians was small but important.
"Ninety per cent of musicians earn less than £15,000 a year. These royalties are very small but they add up over the years," he said.
"Ninety per cent of musicians earn less than £15,000 a year. These royalties are very small but they add up over the years," he said.
A spokesperson for the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills said: "We are sympathetic to the European Commission's goal of improving the situation for performers but we don't believe that the current proposal achieves this aim.
"The UK believes the proposal is too complex and most of the benefits will go to the record companies rather than the performers.
"The UK is still considering the detail of this proposal and it will consider future alternatives that come forward."
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you a musician at risk of losing income under the current copyright laws? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you a musician at risk of losing income under the current copyright laws? Send us your comments using the form below.
