The leading UK trade bodies for music artists and managers have responded positively to recommendations made in Richard Hooper's new report on streamlining copyright - but warned that its 'momentum' cannot be allowed to slow.
As reported earlier, Hooper's Copyright Works set our recommendations for a new Digital Copyright Exchange, where potential licensees could obtain music rights online in a single transaction.
Hooper recommends that a new industry-funded Copyright steering committee be set up to create and implement this 'copyright hub'- headed up by report secretariat Dr. Lynch for its first year.
Hooper also recommended PPL and PRS working closely together in marketing and administration, and commended the duo of licensing bodies for their work on Global repertoire and recordings databases.
"The MMF and FAC welcome the conclusions of the 'Copyright works' by Richard Hooper and [secreatriat] Dr. Ros Lynch," MMF CEO Jon Webster (pictured) told Music Week.
"Potential users of copyright need education as to what rights they need to license and signposts to where they can obtain those rights. A Digital Copyright Exchange would help that process immeasurably.
"However this will only happen if rights holders let go the shackles that constrain licensing and embrace change.
"We worry that momentum will be lost after the report is published and would welcome Dr. Ros Lynch still being involved to drive the process forward. Committees are, in many ways, a drag on innovation moving at the pace of the slowest as we have seen with copyright licensing in recent years.
"If the finance could be found maybe Dr.Lynch could take one of the spare desks in UK Music to be at the centre of the continued drive to innovative reform."
Grab this Thursday's copy of Music Week for an in-depth look at Hooper's recommendations for the music industry.
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