The initiative, which aims to make it easier for digital music services to clear the music rights they need, is subject to EC approval under European Union merger regulations.
However, PRS for Music, STIM (Sweden) and GEMA (Germany) say they plan to launch their new service as soon as they are given the green light by the EC.
If approved, the service will speed up and improve the accuracy of royalty payments to rightsholders, becoming the first multi-repertoire system to provide integrated data processing and digital multi-territory licensing services.
Robert Ashcroft, chief executive of PRS for Music, said: ‘Given the complexity of the multi-territory digital market place and the scale and scope of the ground breaking solution that we are bringing to the table, it is understandable that our joint venture is subject to an in-depth assessment. We will continue to co-operate fully with the European Commission and look forward to a successful resolution of the process.’
Harald Heker, chief executive of GEMA, added: ‘This hub is a response to, and fully in line with, the objectives of the CRM Directive which encourages the aggregation of repertoires for pan-European licences in order to simplify the licensing process for DSPs. We’ve designed it from the ground up to bring benefits to both rightsholders, including authors, publishers and smaller collection societies, and DSPs.’
Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen, chief executive of STIM, added: ‘Notwithstanding this delay, we continue to believe that collective rights management can be significantly improved through closer collaboration across national borders.
‘This hub allows us to share infrastructure costs and encourages us to invest jointly in systems able to support better efficiencies, accuracy and speed. Our objective is to benefit all who enjoy what is the core of our industry - the creation of music.’
However, PRS for Music, STIM (Sweden) and GEMA (Germany) say they plan to launch their new service as soon as they are given the green light by the EC.
If approved, the service will speed up and improve the accuracy of royalty payments to rightsholders, becoming the first multi-repertoire system to provide integrated data processing and digital multi-territory licensing services.
Robert Ashcroft, chief executive of PRS for Music, said: ‘Given the complexity of the multi-territory digital market place and the scale and scope of the ground breaking solution that we are bringing to the table, it is understandable that our joint venture is subject to an in-depth assessment. We will continue to co-operate fully with the European Commission and look forward to a successful resolution of the process.’
Harald Heker, chief executive of GEMA, added: ‘This hub is a response to, and fully in line with, the objectives of the CRM Directive which encourages the aggregation of repertoires for pan-European licences in order to simplify the licensing process for DSPs. We’ve designed it from the ground up to bring benefits to both rightsholders, including authors, publishers and smaller collection societies, and DSPs.’
Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen, chief executive of STIM, added: ‘Notwithstanding this delay, we continue to believe that collective rights management can be significantly improved through closer collaboration across national borders.
‘This hub allows us to share infrastructure costs and encourages us to invest jointly in systems able to support better efficiencies, accuracy and speed. Our objective is to benefit all who enjoy what is the core of our industry - the creation of music.’
