Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Creator remuneration

Status: Closed Opened: 4 Sep 2023 Closed: 22 May 2024 8 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration HC 156 10 Apr 2024 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

14 items
1 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Deferred

Lack of UK private copying scheme threatens creators' reciprocal payments from abroad.

Revenue from private copying from abroad is an important source of income for creators, remunerating them for the use of their works that is integral to the demand for electronic devices. Not only does a lack of such a scheme in the UK prevent British creators from receiving payments from … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the complexity of private copying schemes and their implications. It commits to strengthening the evidence base through meetings with creative industry representatives and analysing approaches in other Member States to inform future discussions.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Deferred

Introduce statutory private copying scheme with creative industries, safeguarding reciprocal payments from abroad.

We recommend the Government work with the UK’s creative industries to introduce a statutory private copying scheme, which, at minimum, safeguards reciprocal payments from abroad, to be produced within the next twelve months.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the complexity and states ministers will meet with creative industries to strengthen the evidence base on private copying, both domestically and internationally. They are also analyzing EU approaches and engaging with BECS regarding reciprocal payments, but do not commit to introducing a …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
3 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Acknowledged

Government's AI working group failed to produce IP code, favouring AI developers.

Despite our previous recommendations that the Government win back the trust of creators regarding their concerns over AI, its working group has not been able to bring forward a code of practice on AI and intellectual property. Although the Government asserted that it could consider legislating were agreement not reached, … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the Committee's concerns regarding the lack of a code of practice on AI and IP and the status quo favoring AI developers. They state that DCMS, DSIT, and IPO are working closely to understand issues, engaging with stakeholders, and intend to proceed …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
4 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Acknowledged

Require Government to establish mechanisms and a legislative deadline for AI creator compensation.

The Government must ensure that creators have proper mechanisms to enforce their consent and receive fair compensation for use of their work by AI developers. It should set out measurable objectives for the period of engagement with the AI and rightsholders sectors, which it has said ministers will lead on, … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges concerns about AI and copyright, stating DCMS, DSIT, and IPO are working closely with stakeholders to find a balance between innovation and creator protection. They recognise legislation may be required and intend to proceed with urgency, hoping to announce next steps soon, …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
5 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Acknowledged

Creative freelancers lack unified voice, leading to declining pay and poor conditions.

Freelancers make up a significant portion of the creative workforce but lack a single clear voice representing their interests to Government. This has resulted in a decline in pay and conditions that will cause long-term harm to the sector.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of the self-employed workforce in the creative industries, noting both benefits and challenges. They highlight ongoing initiatives like the Creative Industries Sector Vision's Good Work Review and a pilot support programme for screen, and are reviewing options across departments for …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
6 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Deferred

Appoint a Freelancers’ Commissioner with cross-departmental oversight to advocate for creative freelancers.

We recommend that the Government appoint a Freelancers’ Commissioner, with appropriate powers and cross-departmental oversight, to advocate across Government in the interests of creative freelancers, and of other freelance and self-employed people more broadly. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of freelancers and states that a sub-group is expected to discuss proposals for a Freelance Commissioner. They are also reviewing options across government departments to identify support, but do not commit to appointing a Commissioner at this time.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
7 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Accepted

Creators experience poor working conditions, inconsistent contracts, and inadequate support.

Many creators experience poor working conditions, including inconsistent use of contracts and terms and conditions, uneven responses to bullying, harassment and discrimination and a lack of proper support, accounting, training and development. This compounds the poor pay available in the profession and its high barriers to entry. (Paragraph 61) 44 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges challenges faced by the self-employed workforce in creative industries. It highlights ongoing efforts, including support for an industry-wide Code of Conduct, the BFI's £1.5 million Good Work Sector Support Programme, and the establishment of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority to address …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
8 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Accepted in Part

Acknowledge and address poor creator working conditions by implementing Good Work Review recommendations.

The Government should acknowledge and address issues around contracts and working conditions by implementing the recommendations of the DCMS-sponsored Good Work Review, using the sector’s CREATOR campaign as a basis for fair working standards. (Paragraph 61) Economics of music publishing Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, highlighting its support for industry efforts to improve working conditions. These include backing a new industry-wide Code of Conduct, a £1.5 million BFI programme, and welcoming the establishment of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), which was a …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
9 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Deferred

Maintain momentum on music streaming reform using finalised research into creator earnings.

We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to the reset of music streaming which we have advocated and note the recent metadata and transparency codes agreed by the working groups it led. The Government must now maintain this momentum in light of the finalised publications of research into “Music creators’ earnings … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges progress on metadata and transparency but states its view that creator remuneration issues are best addressed through industry dialogue and action via the Creator Remuneration Working Group. Ministers will keep the situation under review but are not committing to further direct intervention …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
10 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Rejected

Drive fundamental reform of music streaming based on commissioned research results.

The Government must take stock of the results of the extensive research it has commissioned and look at how it can drive fundamental reform of music streaming with a package of measures designed to make streaming work for all.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges creator concerns but states its current view is that industry-led dialogue and action, via the Creator Remuneration Working Group, is the best approach for addressing remuneration in music streaming. They will keep it under review and reserve the right to consider alternative …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
11 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Rejected

Creator Remuneration Working Group membership gives creators minority voice and excludes producers.

We welcome the Government’s publication of the terms of reference for the Creator Remuneration Working Group and expect to see tangible steps to improve musicians’ remuneration and performer rights in the next twelve months. However, we note concerns that the group’s membership leaves creators themselves with a minority voice and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government expresses confidence that the Creator Remuneration Working Group has adequate and broad representation, ensuring productive conversations despite a size-limited membership. They will ensure all members can express views and may invite others or adapt the group if necessary, but do not commit to …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
12 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Rejected

Revisit Creator Remuneration Working Group membership to give music makers a stronger voice.

We recommend that the Government revisit the Creator Remuneration Working Group’s membership, in order to give music makers a stronger and fairer voice over issues of remuneration for the duration of the Group’s timespan.

Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to revisit the Creator Remuneration Working Group's membership, stating confidence in its adequate and broad representation. They explain the benefits of a size-limited group and commit to ensuring all members have an opportunity to express views, while monitoring progress and …
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
13 Conclusion Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Deferred

Music streaming revenue split does not reflect importance of songwriters and composers.

The revenue split between recording and publishing rights does not reflect the importance of songwriters, composers and publishers in the music streaming process. We note that the Competition and Markets Authority has also concluded that it is for the Government to determine what is needed to reach an optimal split. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of fair remuneration but believes industry negotiations are the best approach. It welcomes further views through the Creator Remuneration Working Group before considering any direct intervention.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
14 Recommendation Fifth Report - Creator remuneration Rejected

Require Government to consult on measures incentivising optimal publishing rights rates for creators.

Given the contribution of songwriters and composers to the success of music streaming, we recommend that the Government bring forward measures for consultation with fans, music makers and other stakeholders to incentivise an optimal rate for publishing rights in order to fairly remunerate creators for their work. (Paragraph 83) Creator … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to bring forward measures for consultation, stating its belief that appropriate remuneration is best achieved through industry negotiations. It welcomes views through the Creator Remuneration Working Group but will not introduce government-led measures at this time.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
12 Dec 2023 Dr Hyojung Sun, Merck Mercuriadis, Nile Rodgers, Paul Clements · Music Publishers Association, Professor David Hesmondhalgh, VV Brown · The Ivors Academy View ↗
19 Sep 2023 Andrew Harrower · Directors UK, Caroline Norbury OBE · Creative UK, John Hollingworth · British Equity Collecting Society Ltd, Nicola Solomon · Creators’ Rights Alliance, Reema Selhi · Design and Artists Copyright Society, Richard Combes · Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society View ↗

Who gave evidence

12 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Andrew Harrower · Chief Executive Directors UK 1
Caroline Norbury OBE · Chief Executive Creative UK 1
Dr Hyojung Sun 1
John Hollingworth · Actor and BECS Member British Equity Collecting Society Ltd 1
Merck Mercuriadis 1
Nicola Solomon · Chair Creators’ Rights Alliance 1
Nile Rodgers 1
Paul Clements · Chief Executive Music Publishers Association 1
Professor David Hesmondhalgh 1
Reema Selhi · Head of Policy and International Design and Artists Copyright Society 1
Richard Combes · Head of Rights and Licensing and Deputy Chief Exe… Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society 1
VV Brown · singer-songwriter, record producer and board dire… The Ivors Academy 1

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
5 Mar 2024 To cttee Letter from David Martin et al, Council of Music Makers, relating to the Creato…
6 Feb 2024 To cttee Letter from Julia Lopez MP, Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries…