MCCARTNEY AND DALTREY'S COPYRIGHT

Rock icons Paul McCartney and Roger Daltrey are heading for a win in their ongoing campaign to extend the copyright on old songs. The European Union (EU) proposed today a scheme which will allow ageing musicians and session performers to keep receiving royalties for their music for 95 years. Stars currently lose the rights to their recordings after just 50 years. After that period, performers, producers and record labels are no longer compensated for sales or airplay.
U2 and Sir Cliff Richard have also previously spoken out in support of extending the copyright term. Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey, now chief executive of British Music Rights, says, "I am especially pleased that the announcement focuses on the ‘invisible’ members of our industry - the musicians, engineers and session players whose names are hidden away in the liner notes and credits. "It is they, and not just ‘featured’ artists and record labels, who could derive real benefits from this move - and at a time in life when their earning power would be severely diminished." EU governments and the European Parliament still need to rule on the proposal.