Creator remuneration

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Non-inquiry session
Opened: 4 Sep 2023 Closed: 22 May 2024 Parliament page
8 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
1 Nov
2024
Report published
10 Apr
2024
Report published
5 Mar
2024
Correspondence
6 Feb
2024
Correspondence
12 Dec
2023
Oral evidence
12 Dec
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
19 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
19 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
12 Dec 2023
View on parliament.uk
Dr Hyojung Sun Merck Mercuriadis Nile Rodgers Paul Clements · Music Publishers Association Professor David Hesmondhalgh VV Brown · The Ivors Academy
19 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration HC 156 10 Apr 2024 14 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1 Conclusion Deferred
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
2 Recommendation Deferred
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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 statutory scheme within twelve months.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 with urgency to announce next steps soon, recognizing potential legislative needs.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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, but do not set measurable objectives or a definitive legislative deadline.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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 pan-economy support and discussing a Freelance Commissioner.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
6 Recommendation Deferred
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
7 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 these issues.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
8 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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 specific recommendation from the Good Work Review.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
9 Recommendation Deferred
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 based on the research at this time.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
10 Recommendation Rejected
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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 measures if necessary, but currently do not commit to driving fundamental reform through a government-led package of measures.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
11 Conclusion Rejected
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 changing the current structure.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
12 Recommendation Rejected
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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
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 adapting the group if deemed necessary.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
13 Conclusion Deferred
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
14 Recommendation Rejected
Fifth Report - Creator remuneration
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 14 of 8 classified
Accepted 1
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 5
Rejected 4
Total 8 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
5 Mar 2024 To committee Letter from David Martin et al, Council of Music Makers, relating to the Creator Remuneration Working Group, dated 22 February 2024
Parliament page
6 Feb 2024 To committee Letter from Julia Lopez MP, Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries, relating to music streaming follow-up, dated 30 January 2024
Parliament page