[ARSCLIST] Some potential bad news ...

["Michael H. Gray" <mhgray@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Europe to extend music copyright
EC proposes extension to 95 years
By IAN MUNDELL
BRUSSELS ? Plans to extend European performers? copyright protection
from 50 to 95 years will be put forward by the European Commission
before the summer.

The aim is to ensure that airplay royalties continue at least for the
lifetime of the performer, whether they are stars or unknown session
musicians.

Charlie McCreevy, the commissioner responsible, said Thursday that
record companies will be required to set up a fund reserving at least
20% of the income during the extended copyright term to session
musicians.

For featured artists, original advances would no longer be set off
against royalties in the extended term. The artist would get the lot.

The proposals will also contain a ?use it or lose it? provision: if a
record company is unwilling to re-release a performance during the
extended term, the performer can move to another label.

The commission judges that its plan will not have a negative impact on
consumer prices, and that most of the additional revenue collected would
stay in Europe.