Music copyright to be extended to 95 years

The EU’s Legal Affairs Committee has approved a legislation that says that Bottom of Form Copyright term for music recordings must be extended from 50 years to 95 years. Increasing the term of copyright protection would ensure that performers and producers continue to receive royalties for 95 years from the first publication or performance of their song, according to a Commission proposal backed by the committee. To ensure that performers fully enjoy the additional royalties deriving from copyright extension, the committee amended the original text so as to prevent the use of previous contractual agreements to deduct money from the additional royalties. The legislation still needs ratification from the European Parliament and member states. A plenary vote will take place on 24–26 March.


02/26/2009 | Legal