UKAM warns it will form its own collecting society if PRS does not accede to its demands
Matthew Vella Malta’s musicians and composers are protesting against the low royalties they receive from the Performers’ Rights Society (UK) – Malta’s official government-licensed collecting society – and demand that their payments are increased, and are threatening PRS with the creation of their own collecting rights society.
In a special meeting organised by UKAM (Unjoni ta’ Kompożituri, Kantanti, Awturi u Mużiċisti Maltin), the union said it will be presenting a report on payments due to Maltese musicians. UKAM is demanding an increase from the €0.56 play rate – which it describes as “too low and unacceptable” – to €3.26 for the years 2000 till 2007, and €5 from 2008 onwards.
“The play rate should be revised every year depending on the licenses collected,” the union said.
The union is also saying that only 52% of the royalties collected in 2007 were distributed to Maltese recipients.
Royalties owed to Maltese music artists may amount to as much as €200,000 for 2008 alone, but efforts to establish how much of this has already been paid out in copyright by PRS have to date been hampered by an apparent lack of any reliable data.
According to Howard Keith Debono of Jagged House – the production and management company representing Ira Losco, Tribali, The Rifffs, Airport Impressions and Red Electric – around €500,000 per year, in some years less, and in others more, were collected.
Additionally, musicians are incurring a 26% administration fee.
“UK members do not have 26% administration fees deducted from their collected licenses per year,” UKAM said. “But only 10.7% deducted form their collections. This goes against the fundamental principle of equality.”
UKAM held its meeting yesterday at the Hotel Excelsior in Floriana, with culture ministry representatives in attendance, as well as local PRS agent Dr Kevin Dingli.
The union said that if PRS ignore their demands, UKAM would take its case to CISAC (International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies) and the European Commission to revoke the PRS licence until its demands are met.
“Royalties are vital in nurturing creative music talent,” UKAM said. “Music creators rely on receiving royalties whenever and wherever their work is used.”
UKAM is also proposing a more effective licensing for music in Malta, by introducing a mandatory PRS permit for all establishments and live events promoters making use of music.
The union said PRS should liaise with all broadcast stations to make sure all playlists are obtained from all the stations, to ensure a fair and accurate distribution. Additionally, TV stations’ airtime royalty rates should be established and distributed accordingly, and other platforms for local music – cinema, internet streaming and YouTube – all accounted for.
The union also want 3-5% of gross income collected from Malta to be used as a fund for “local writers in need”. UKAM said this would be in line with other collecting societies. “This will be discussed with P.R.S. and should they insist to keep the administration fees at 26%, UKAM is furthermore determined to keep 10% of these fees for the beneficiary fund. This is quite normal in other countries.”
UKAM recently co-opted Howard Keith Debono, Temple Studios director David Vella, and DJ Ruby, and guitarist Lincoln Spiteri as the new union secretary. Board members includes Maestro Paul Abela and Alfred C. Sant, Mario Axiaq, Stella Anastasi, Joe Julian Farrugia, Carm Fenech, Fleur Balzan, Renato Briffa, Charles Azzopardi and Trevor Fenech.
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