Two new licensing agreements signed by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the collecting societies will create the framework for collective licensing of producers’ rights for certain streaming and podcast services across several markets.
In practice, the participating collecting societies will be able to license rights in each others’ territories and repertoire for certain internet and mobile streaming services and to make available previously broadcast programs such as streams or podcasts. Broadcasters and online music services will also continue to be able to approach the record companies directly for a license for these uses.
Until now, obtaining cross-border online rights licenses for these services has involved dealing with each territory separately or approaching the right-holders directly. This new framework will offer users the alternative to obtain a license for broad repertoire and for all the participating territories from a single collecting society.
The record industry’s mantra is to license, license, license. We want consumers to be able to listen to our music anywhere, any time through any device as long as it is legal, said Frances Moore, IFPI’s regional director for Europe. These landmark agreements will further streamline the licensing process and help broadcasters and online music services deliver music across boundaries.
It is expected that more than 40 collecting societies, covering most of the key music markets worldwide, will sign up to the two agreements.
