The IMPF and CISAC have responded to yesterday’s decision by the US Department of Justice not to alter the consent decrees governing performance rights organisations BMI and ASCAP and to push for consent decree reform.
In a blow to songwriters, publishers and performance rights organisations, the US Department of Justice also decided to implement what is known as “100% licensing,” a scheme which allows a right holders to license full works even thought they only own a fraction of the rights.
Now, the IMPF and CISAC have joined ASCAP and BMI in voicing their dissatisfaction with the ruling.
IMPF President, Pierre Mossiat, said: "Where will this consistent erosion and undermining of the fundamental rights of authors and composers end? How is it that policy makers, on both sides of the Atlantic, have put themselves in the business of making decisions that are disastrous for the music community, but curiously beneficial for others? What is the tipping point? IMPF will work assiduously with all those in the international music community who rail against these decisions that are so very unfair to our songwriters."
CISAC Director General Gadi Oron expressed equal concern: "The global community of creators and societies represented by CISAC is bemused and extremely worried by the consequences of the decisions made by the Department of Justice. These decisions have been made without taking into account the interests of creators and with total disregard for the international legal framework that authors' societies operate within.
“ASCAP and BMI have decided to jointly challenge these decisions. BMI will challenge the decisions before the Federal court and ASCAP will take the lead in promoting legislative solutions. We fully support and stand by their actions. We hope that their actions will lead to a fairer U.S. licensing system that would work for all stakeholders."
