The government committed to ‘significant and lasting improvements’ in music streaming

The Music Streaming Economy Tracking report was released by the DCMS in January and said musicians should receive a fairer share of the revenue and there should be a “complete reset” of the music streaming market.

In response to the report, which followed the committee’s initial 2021 report, the government agreed to release agendas and minutes of Intellectual Property Office (IPO) working groups on metadata and transparency.

The DCMS committee follow-up report also suggested that the IPO establish working groups on performers’ compensation and rights to consider current evidence and monitor developments in other countries.

Handout photo dated 24/11/21 by Jonathan Stewart of members of the Musicians Union, Ivors Academy and MPs in Parliament Square, Westminster, highlighting a new parliamentary bill that aims to ensure artists receive a
Members of the Musicians Union, Ivors Academy and MPs in Parliament Square (Jonathan Stewart/PA)

Following the government’s response, DCMS acting committee chair and Conservative MP Damian Green said: “We are pleased that the government has promised to deliver ‘significant and lasting improvements in transmission’ in its response to our monitoring report on the transmission of music. .

“Our initial inquiry called for a ‘hard reset’ of streaming in response to issues facing professional musicians and independent businesses in the industry, highlighting the need for equal pay.

“Publishing information on the work of the industry contact group, transparency and metadata working groups, and remuneration and rights reversal research projects will fuel debate and policy discussions.”

He continued: “We also welcome the steps ministers have taken to engage in this process and take a more strategic approach to cultural policy. We hope to see a renewed focus on international partnership building so that we can promote the British creative industries around the world.

Spotify app displayed on a Samsung smartphone
Spotify was among the streamers that provided evidence to the investigation (Lauren Hurley/PA)

“We also note that our follow-up report requested that the top three music groups provide evidence of royalties being paid to legacy artists following recommendations during our initial consultation. The committee wants to see concrete action from government, regulators and industry in response to its reports, and will continue to monitor the position closely.”

The Inquiry into the Economics of Music Streaming received more than 300 written tests after its release in October 2020.

Artists and performers who gave testimony included songwriter/producer Nile Rodgers, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Elbow’s Guy Garvey and singer-songwriter Nadine Shah.

The investigation also took evidence from the UK independent music sector, as well as major record labels Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music. Spotify, Amazon, Apple and YouTube also testified.

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