First consensus on contractual standards for the music business confirmed in Frankfurt
First consensus on contractual standards for the music business confirmed in
Frankfurt
The conference in Frankfurt - reality check
At the Frankfurt Music Fair, musicians, label owners, event organisers, operators of
online music services, and special interest groups met to revise the drafts of fair
contractual standards with a reality check, in order to finally apply and establish these
standards. Subjects covered were contractual standards for music recordings, live
performances and online music services.
Contractual standards for music recordings
The standards for music recordings passed the reality check in Frankfurt. Conference
participants were able to finally agree on the most important and controversial clauses of
the contractual standards. A certification of music recordings can thereby be realized in
the near future.
This positions the next big step towards more transparent and fair conditions in the
music business.
fair music – the initiative for fairness in the music business
The Challenge
Today the music business is just as well threatened as the cultural diversity in music.
There is thus an urgent need for a positive solution.
The Solution: fair music - an image campaign for the music business
Fair music is the first initiative for fairness and justice in the music industry. Started as a
local initiative of mica - music austria in the Mozart Year 2006, fair music has evolved
into an international project, funded by the EU. Since the summer of 2009, NGO's from
the music and culture sector have been developing standards for the certification of fair
produced and marketed music, to reinforce musicians and the music business all over the
world with this image campaign.
Together with dedicated representatives of the industry, fair music is working on
establishing fair rules in the music world: balanced contracts for musicians and the music
business, fair salaries for composers and musicians, an equitable distribution of
opportunities for small producers worldwide and especially for musicians from developing
countries.
Ideal of fair trade
The project was inspired by the "fair trade" initiative. fair music translates these
standards in the world of cultural goods and services. As with "fair trade", fair music
products should be certified with a seal of quality.
This will also aim at creating more awareness among consumers that music has to cost
something. Without any payment, which is unfortunately becoming ever more the case in
today's digital world, the musicians won’t be able to get any fair share of the profits.
The basis for establishing the criteria of the fair music certifications are the musical rights
formulated by the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity
of Cultural Expressions (2005) and the International Music Council (IMC).
Project Objectives
- Establishing standards for music contracts
- Setup of an agency, which certifies music companies that meet these standards in their
contracts
- Setup of distribution channels for certified music
Conference Participants:
Beaumont-Nesbitt, Jake IMMF (International Music Manager’s Forum)
Beverungen, Nicolai Echo Beach
Bisping, Michael BDV (Bundesverband der Veranstaltungswirtschaft )
Block, Amke Audiomagnet.com
Caldas , Charles Merlin
Dudt, Simone EMC (European Music Council)
Evert, Till CELAS
Fischer, Silja IMC (International Music Council)
Fuller, Michael AIM (Association Of Independent Music)
Göttlich, Oke finetunes
Gregson, Peter Artist (Mute Records)
Hergovich, Franz mica – music austria
Heuer, Helmut Legere Recordings
Hirschenhauser, Alexander fair music
James, Peter Popbüro Stuttgart / VUT
Jenner, Peter IMMF em. (International Music Manager’s Forum)
Kiltz, Eva VUT (Verband Unabhängiger Tonträgerunternehmer)
Kitzberger, Dr. Ralf IAEL (International Association of Entertainmentn
Lawyers)
Leichsenring, Lutz Clubcommission
Machuel, Benoit FIM (Internationale Musiker Föderation)
May, Volker IMMF (International Music Manager’s Forum)
McNamee, Trevor Jalapeno Records
Ozgen, Burak IMC (International Music Council)
Praschak, Rainer mica – music austria
Reiter, Sabine mica – music austria
Ritson, Hal FAC (Featured Artist Coalition)
Roeingh, Matthias Artist (Dr. Motte)
Schliesche, Thorsten Napster Germany
Schoepe, Wolf D. IAEL (International Association of Entertainment
Lawyers)
Smith, Helen Impala (Independent Music Companies Association)
Turkenburg, Wouter IASJ (International Association of Schools Of Jazz)
Wicker, Steffen Simfy
The Project Consortium
Project Leader: mica - music austria (Austria)
Project Partners: International Music Council (France)
Popbüro Region Stuttgart (Germany)
International Association of Schools of Jazz (Netherlands)
ZTMD / Sajeta Festival (Slovenia)
