EU-wide Music Licensing Policies Published

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday October 12, 2005 @09:19PM from the pay-more-or-less dept.

www-xenu-dot-net writes "To stimulate the online music business in Europe, EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is recommending the elimination of territorial restrictions on the licensing and copyright enforcement of online music. Until now, so called licensing collection societies have enjoyed monopolies within their countries. (For online sales, the collecting societies typically charge 12 percent of the retail price today, compared to 9 percent on CDs.) EU Socialist Group leader Martin Schulz has called Mr McCreevy a "loose cannon whose arrogant opinions have provoked anti-EU feeling across Europe." That impression might not change with the new recommendation, as collecting societies in smaller European countries fear that they will lose out to larger rivals, potentially restricting the development of new music."

1 of 136 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:EU Politics by Anonymous Coward · 2005-10-12 22:44 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Whatever anyone may think about the pros and cons of this announcment you must also be aware of the voice that speaks it. As Irelands minister for finance, McCreevy made a bo***ks of our economy during the wealthiest time in our history. We're not poor by any strech if you take a look at our health or education systems they haven't improved since the eighties. It would make you cry looking at the missed oppurtuinities of the "Celtic Tiger". Do Not Trust This Man.

Rant over, sorry.