The EU have announced plans to extend copyright periods from 50 years to 95 years. Arguing that the move would benefit session musicians and lesser known artists, Charlie McCreevy, the EU Internal Markets Commisioner, said that “copyright protection for Europe’s performers represents a moral right to control the use of their work and earn a living from their performances”.
The copyright extension will only apply to the performance rights as the copyright for the publishing rights currently stands at the lifetime of the writer plus 70 years.
The extension has been backed by Robert Daltry of The Who and Cliff Richard.