U.K. SAYS NO TO COPYRIGHT DIRECTIVE

The British Government has issued the U.K. music industry somewhat of a kick in the teeth, declaring that it has no plans to implement the much fought-for EU Copyright Directive after Brexit.

The Directive required user-upload platforms such as YouTube to secure a license from rights holders, or ensure that no unauthorized content is available on the platform. It includes a “stay down” provision requiring platforms to keep unlicensed content down.

The U.K. music industry united to staunchly support the new law, which was a first step to solving the “value gap” (the discrepancy between the amount of music streamed on YouTube and the monetary value it provides). Naturally, YouTube was one of the Directive's fiercest opponents.

The EU approved the Copyright Directive in March after the majority of Members of the European Parliament voted to approve the bill. However, with the U.K. set to leave the EU on 1/31, the British Government is no longer required to adopt the bill, and Universities and Science Minister Chris Skidmore has announced that it won’t.

UK Music’s Deputy CEO Tom Kiehl requested an “urgent meeting” with Skidmore, responding to the decision in an open letter that read: “Your statement is extremely disappointing, in particular for the many music creators across the country who have campaigned for the Directive over a number of years. The Directive is designed to improve the way creators in the music industry and those that invest in them are financially rewarded.

“The U.K.’s world-leading music industry is worth £5.2n to the economy, generates export revenues of £2.7b and employs over 190k people but we can only maintain growth if we take advantage of the opportunities provided by the changes in the Copyright Directive.

“Google-owned YouTube currently pay creators significantly less than the real value to them. Failing to implement the core principles of the Directive would let Google off the hook and mean creators continue to get a raw deal.

“We understand that the U.K.’s imminent departure from the EU presents challenges to taking forward the Directive in its current form. However, the Government should not lose sight of the fact that it played a key role in developing and agreeing to the many necessary provisions within the Directive.

“If it is the case that Brexit presents an opportunity for the U.K. to write its own laws, then there is no excuse for a delay to our existing call for the Government to set out a road map outlining how it intends to take forward its support for the Directive’s key proposals.”