In case anyone thought performing artists were also the music business or part of it……Here’s an email from PPL

I just wanted to alert you to some good news in our campaign on copyright term. The Commission has this morning announced proposals to extend copyright for sound recordings from 50 to 95 years. Making the announcement, Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said he no longer wanted performing artists to be the poor cousins of the music business.

This is obviously extremely welcome news and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, despite various recent setbacks. The Commissioner specifically said in the press briefing this morning that it was the strength of feeling from many thousands of musicians that prompted him to make this proposal.

Of course it does not end here. Any legislation in Brussels has to be drafted by the Commission and then debated by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers before it becomes law. We will be following this very closely on your behalf.

You can read the full Commission announcement here:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/240&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

If you would like to make a comment on this announcement that might help us show support for the Commission and maintain the momentum, please feel free to reply to this email.

Once again I thank you for your loyal support in helping us close the copyright gap.

Fran

FRAN NEVRKLA (Mr)
Chairman & CEO, PPL and VPL