News from ECSA: June 2023
Advocacy
ECSA President at European Parliament’s stakeholders’ meeting on music streaming
On 8 June, ECSA President Helienne Lindvall represented ECSA at a stakeholders meeting in the European Parliament (EP) on the forthcoming EP report on “Cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market”. The meeting was organised by the Culture and Education committee and hosted by the rapporteur, MEP Ibán García del Blanco (S&D, Spain). Helienne pleaded for a holistic approach to fix streaming. She highlighted in particular the need to 1) share the streaming pie in a fairer and more sustainable manner, 2) ensure better identification of music creators, 3) look at the nature of streaming and its impacts on other exploitation, 4) ensure that the streaming pie can grow through more realistic pricing models, 5) encourage alternative models to the current pro-rata system, 6) improve transparency in algorithms, playlists and the type of deals made on behalf of composers and songwriters, and 7) ensure the prominence and discoverability of European works on streaming services.
EP draft report on social and professional situation of workers in the cultural and creative sectors
On 13 June, Members of the European Parliament (EP) Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D, Spain) and Antonius Manders (EPP, the Netherlands) published a draft report with recommendations to the European Commission on "an EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors". We welcome the report's recognition of the unstable and precarious working conditions of CCS professionals, its emphasis on the importance of fair remuneration, call for action against buy-out contracts, and support of collective bargaining practices in the sectors. We thank both rapporteurs and hope that these issues will feature prominently in the final report.
Open letter to EU institutions on the European Media Freedom Act regulation proposal
Together with various European audiovisual and cultural organisations, ECSA voiced concerns in an open letter on the European Commission’s proposal for a European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The signatories are concerned that EMFA’s Article 20 would create significant legal uncertainty and may weaken the existence of protective and ambitious cultural policies set out by Member States to promote European audiovisual creation in all its diversity. We therefore call on a revision of Article 20, to ensure continued sustainable conditions for the local audiovisual creation across Europe.
AI and Authors rights: Capacity Triangle at Soundtrack_Cologne
On 21 June, ECSA co-organised a Capacity Triangle panel with Soundtrack_Cologne called “AI and Authors Rights: what awaits us?”. The panel, featuring lawyer Stefan Ellenberg, Marc du Moulin (ECSA), Janne Spijkervet (TikTok), Katharina Uppenbrink (Initiative Urheberrecht), and moderator Anselm Kreuzer (Composers Club, ECSA), tackled the interactions between AI, music and authors rights. They also discussed the ins and outs of the proposed EU AI Act, and its link with text and data mining exceptions. We’re very thankful to Soundtrack_Cologne for co-organising this panel and for an interesting conference with many fruitful exchanges on music and sound in film and media.
ECSA board member Ole Henrik Antonsen speaks at International IP Enforcement Summit
On 14 June, ECSA board member Ole Henrik Antonsen joined the panel “Raising IP awareness among consumers and increasing the IP knowledge of enforcement authorities” at the 2023 International IP Enforcement Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria. The panel focused on the importance of raising IP awareness among all citizens and stakeholders, making them aware of the negative aspects of counterfeiting and piracy, and on the importance of enhancing the knowledge of enforcement authorities through training.
ECSA President in US for various activities
On 13 June, ECSA President Helienne Lindvall participated in the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Global Music Publishing Summit in the panel “Unite & Conquer” to discuss how indie labels, indie publishers and songwriters can advocate together with Richard Burgess (A2IM), Abby North (North Music Group), and Kevin Casini (RME). Later that week, Helienne participated in two other events in New York. During the Songwriters of North America (SONA) New York City chapter launch on 14 June, she spoke about what ECSA achieved in Europe and how we can expand our participation with US organisations. Finally, on 15 June, Helienne spoke about improving metadata ingestion at a Credits Due roundtable at the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) Indie Week.
’Sustain Music’: EMC Forum on Music 2023
From 8 to 10 June 2023, the European Music Council (EMC) European Forum on Music 2023: 'Sustain Music' took place in Budapest, Hungary, with the participation of cultural professionals from all over Europe and beyond to talk about creating a safe and welcoming music ecosystem. During the panel "Sustaining music in the digital arena" introduced and joined by IMC President and ECSA Honorary President Alfons Karabuda, as keynote speaker and moderator, new insights on navigating the digital music landscape were discussed. Moreover, the EMC Annual meeting featured the election of a new EMC Board, with Audrey Guerre as new Chair. ECSA European Affairs and Programme Officer Claire Iceaga participated to both meetings. We wish the newly elected EMC Board all the best for the coming years, and thank the EMC/IMC for a week full of insightful discussions, leaving us even more motivated to ensure sustainability and growth of music in Europe and beyond!
© CIAM ECSA board member Ole Henrik Antonsen at CIAM Executive Committee in Mexico
On 2 and 3 June, Ole Henrik Antonsen represented ECSA at the Executive Committee of CIAM (International Council of Music Creators), in Mexico City to discuss top issues faced by music creators today, including the value gap in the digital market, metadata, buyouts, and gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Moreover, during the Committee, Ole Henrik reported on ECSA’s recent and future activities and advocacy priorities.
CULT Committee research paper on music streaming
On 12 June, the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies published a report on “Cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market”. The report gives a general overview of the music streaming market, and identifies the fairness of revenues and the availability of diversity as the two main problems of the current streaming market. Last but not least, the report describes the point of view of various stakeholders in the streaming market, including ECSA.
Cultural activities
Open call to ECSA members: ECCO-System grants
ECSA is delighted to launch a new call for proposals for the ECCO-System grants for 2024. The call is dedicated to ECSA Members only. The grants (financial support to third parties) are funded through the support of the Creative Europe programme for European Networks of Cultural and Creative Organisations. ECSA members are invited to apply for this funding opportunity to organise an ECCO concert in collaboration with an ensemble. Applications are open until 11 September 2023, 12:00 (CET).
“Melodies of the Future”: discover ECSA’s music creators playlist!
On 21 June, ECSA published the second edition of the “Discover ECSA’s music creators'' playlist, consisting of songs and compositions from ECSA’s member organisations. The theme of this year’s playlist is “Melodies of the Future”. Sit back and discover wonderful new music with our Apple Music and Spotify playlists.
Members' news
ECSA welcomes ZAI as new member
We’re delighted to announce that ZAI, the Slovakian Union of Authors and Performers, will join ECSA as a member. ZAI operates in the field of Slovakian popular music and will join ECSA’s APCOE committee. We look forward to cooperating with ZAI and we’re excited to once again broaden our scope across Europe!
U2C announces winners Audiovisual Music Awards 2023
The U2C Audiovisual Music Awards, organised by French ECSA member Union des Compositrices et Compositeurs (U2C), took place on 1 June in Neuilly sur Seine, France. Out of various talented nominees in categories such as fiction feature, feature film animation, short movie, fiction TV, young talent, and international score, the winners were announced during the ceremony. ECSA congratulates all winners, which you can find via this link.
Entries open for The Ivors Classical Awards 2023
The Ivors Classical Awards, celebrating British and Irish contemporary composing for classical and sound art across eight categories, will take place on 14 November in London. Entries are open until 14 July. To be eligible, works must have received their first UK performance between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Irish as well as British composers are eligible.
What else?
CNM Rencontres de l'innovation dans la musique 2023
On 15 June, the French CNM (Centre national de la musique) hosted its Rencontres de l'innovation dans la musique (Music Innovation Encounters) in Lille, France. ECSA attended the event, which served as an opportunity to exchange with other music and tech professionals through a series of workshops and conferences on European initiatives in music and innovation. Moreover, the Prize for Innovation in Music was awarded to three innovative projects in the music sector. More information on the winners can be found via the link below.
KEA blog on 'The importance of CCS representation for EU policy-making'
KEA European Affairs released a new blog on 'The importance of CCS representation for EU policy-making', focusing on the representation of the Cultural and Creative Sectors’ (CCS) interests at EU policy level. It highlights challenges in addressing policies relevant to the sectors and proposes ways to improve the level of CCS engagement in EU policies. Among other things, the blog highlights the important role that organisations representing the cultural and creative professionals play in safeguarding their economic interests.
IMC organises its 40th General Assembly during Visa for Music 2023
The International Music Council (IMC)’s General Assembly will take place from 22 to 25 November in Rabat, Morocco. The event will welcome around a hundred participants from four continents for three days of conferences and meetings. The IMC will also host other activities during Visa for Music (VFM), such as the Music Rights Awards during the opening ceremony of VFM, an artistic showcase, and conference-debates in conjunction with IMC speakers.
STOMP survey for Musicians: Digital practices
The Green Room has published a questionnaire for musicians, as part of the European project STOMP (Sustainable Tools for Online Music Practices) dedicated to the sustainability of digital practices applied to the music sector. The project aims to assess the needs of musicians in this area, to help them reduce their digital environmental footprint, by conducting a need assessment and offering an inventory of knowledge, practices, tools and initiatives. Contribute to the production of this guide by filling in the questionnaire below.
Production Music Awards announces 2023 call for entries
The Production Music Awards, celebrating exceptional production music libraries and Composers, announced its 2023 call for entries and the details of its ceremony, taking place in London on 20 November 2023. Categories for entry are broadly split into Composition and Sync strands. The deadline for entries is 21 July.
International Songwriting Competition opens entries
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena, is currently accepting entries. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians from anywhere in the world are invited to participate.