European artist managers urge rights societies to consult them before setting up livestream licensing rates

By Emmanuel Legrand

The European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA) has called on "all collecting societies across Europe" to fully consult with artist representatives when setting new licensing rates for livestreams.

  EMMA said that due to the pandemic, most artists and their managers have lost around 80% of their income in the past year and that "paid or ticketed livestreaming has emerged to be a lifeline and one of the few ways artists and crew can earn from music performance."

  "We believe a percentage of gross ticket sales from online shows should be paid to Performing Rights Organisations (PROs) so that songwriters can be fairly compensated," said EMMA, but objected to the decision by "certain PROs and major music publishers" to have determined – without consultation – "that livestreams are closer to digital streams, and therefore liable to a much higher audio digital rate."

An alternative for artists

  Per Kviman, Chair of EMMA, said that during the pandemic, livestreaming "has provided one of the few alternatives for artists to perform before an audience, build a fanbase, and generate revenues through ticket sales."

  He has therefore urged PROs across Europe "to be sensitive to these facts, and that the imposition of any new licensing tariffs should involve full and open consultation – including with artists and their representatives. Get the balance right, and we could nurture a vibrant new format that complements live events and provides artists and songwriters with a valuable source of revenue. But set licensing rates too high, and the costs of producing livestream shows simply won’t stack up."

  EMMA brings together Music Managers Forums in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK.