|
Apple's iTunes and mobile operators including Vodafone on Thursday agreed on royalty rates to pay song writers and music publishers for digital downloads in Britain to partly resolve a dispute. Under terms of the deal, Apple Computer and four mobile operators will pay 8 percent of gross revenue, excluding VAT, for all music sold digitally excluding ringtones. A lower 6.5 percent rate was agreed for non-on-demand services such as streaming. The deal was announced in a joint statement by the trade group representing record labels, BPI, and MCPS-PRS Alliance, which fixes and collects royalties on behalf of the composers, song writers and music publishers. "All parties to the settlement welcome this agreement, which will help drive the on-going growth of the legitimate digital music market," the statement said. Mobile operators O2, France Telecom's Orange and Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile are also part of the agreement. Under a previous deal, the law stated that the song writers and publishers must receive 12 percent but for the last four years this had been temporarily reduced to eight percent. Thursday's ruling made that reduction permanent. "This is a balanced voluntary settlement in which both sides can draw not just comfort from, but excitement that they can go forward and build a business together based on an understanding that will work to the benefit of all," BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson told Reuters. Also included in the deal is the agreement of a minimum price rate which ensures the music creators would still receive a rate, even if the price of music drops significantly. "We wanted to ensure that music writers and composers would get an absolute minimum amount of money if prices were to come down dramatically," Jamieson said. EMI Group Chairman Eric Nicoli said the royalty deal would clear the way to help further develop digital sales, which are slowly replacing the lost revenue from declining sales of CDs. "Our collective focus must be on connecting our artists and consumers in every imaginable legal way and to returning our industry to growth," he said. Illegal file-sharing and piracy cut deeply into CD sales, but music publishers have been partly shielded because they are paid not only when CDs or downloads are sold, but also when songs are sung live or used in films and TV shows. Jamieson and Adam Singer, the Alliance's outgoing Chief Executive, told Reuters there were still some small unresolved issues regarding the definition of revenue and these would be examined at a later date in November. "In a nutshell we're very happy about a voluntary settlement to go forward that is for both our benefits," Singer said. |
Tags: Apple , Vodafone , BPI , O2 , EMI
Mixx
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
delicious
reddit
MySpace
StumbleUpon
LinkedIn
SMART notebook app for iPad brings personalized learning to students
SMART Technologies Inc., provider of collaboration solutions have announced the upcoming release of the SMART ...
Foxconn CEO reveals Apple iTV plans
Apple, supplier Foxconn to share costs on improving factories
Twitpic launches iOS app, Android users left waiting
Apple HDTV to resemble Cinema Displays; to feature iSight camera, Siri
All you need to know about mobile phone chipsets
Apple's new iPad officially launches in India, prices start at Rs. 30,500
Infibeam's selling Karbonn A7 Android phone for Rs.7,490
24 May, 2012, 04:33 PM IST
Global sales of mobiles dip 2 percent in Q1 2012, finds Gartner
17 May, 2012, 10:06 AM IST
Sony shutting shop on feature phone segment come September
24 May, 2012, 06:16 PM IST
Google closes deal on Motorola Mobility for $12.5 bln, Dennis Woodside is new CEO
23 May, 2012, 08:39 AM IST
Spice unveils new dual-SIM handset, the Flo Me-M 6868n
18 May, 2012, 10:41 AM IST
17 May, 2012, 04:58 PM IST
7.5
Alongwith the launch of their flagship device, the One X, HTC launched two other phones - the One V and the One S ...
BlackBerry Curve 9220: New Bottle, Old Wine
Unboxing and first impressions of the LAVA XOLO X900
The XOLO made its way into our labs recently and needless to say, our tech
By Shayne Rana
Mobile Grudge Match - Samsung Galaxy S III vs HTC One X
Last night, we witnessed Samsung unveiling, what they have been referring...
Samsung Galaxy S III - What to expect
Apple fans have the iPhone 4S and Android fans have the Samsung Galaxy S2.
_011517074205_160x90.jpg "Epson Stylus Photo R3000")
Sony to roll-out ICS update next week,...
BlackBerry Curve 9320 announced in India...
Microsoft VP talks about Ballmer's...
Cisco won't invest in their Android...
About Us | Site Profile | Tech2 Team | IBNLive News | IBNLive Hindi News | Cricket News | Indian Stock Market | Policy | T & C
Copyright © 2011, Tech2.com India - A Network 18 India Venture
