A series of measures have been announced that seek to support the fair remuneration of legacy artists, songwriters, and session musicians. 

Announced by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the so-called ‘Principles’ were developed in consultation with the Creator Remuneration Working Group, which was formed in response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry into the economics of music streaming (discussed here). 

The five Principles are as follows:

1. Royalties and commercial support for legacy artists

All UK labels are recommended to provide “bespoke financial support for legacy artists designed to improve their streaming outcomes”. This could either come in the form of disregarding unrecouped advances (on contracts signed before 1 January 2000 for artists who have not received additional advances since that date) or providing a “programme for bespoke support to revitalise legacy catalogues”.

2. Technical and marketing support for legacy artists 

UK labels are encouraged to (a) digitalise previously unexploited works from legacy artists’ deeper catalogues, (b) provide bespoke marketing and administrative support so that legacy artists can develop new audiences on social platforms, and (c) advise legacy artists on how to activate their full catalogues.

3. Contract renegotiation for legacy artists 

Recommendations are set out as to how UK labels should support legacy artists, for example by responding to requests to renegotiate legacy contracts within 60 days, acting reasonable and in good faith to requests to renegotiate, and considering each contract renegotiation “holistically”. 

4. Supporting new and emerging songwriters 

UK labels should create a clear policy to support songwriters when they participate in a label-hosted session, providing at least one of the following: (a) reimbursement of a songwriter’s reasonable expenses; (b) a fixed per diem payment; and (c) other forms of financial support.  

5. Increasing session fees for pop and classical session musicians 

Finally, UK labels should pay session musicians who perform on recordings upfront fees of at least the minimum rates set by the most recent agreement between BPI and the Musicians’ Union. 

The Principles have been adopted by the BPI and the Association of Independent Music (AIM) and recommended to their UK members.  

To read more, click here