New Directive increases the term of protection for performers and music producers from 50 to 70 years

7 October 2011

The new rule, approved on September 12, 2011, is an attempt to acknowledge the artistic and creative contribution of performers and artists as well as producers, by lengthening their term of protection to match that of copyrights.

Under the former 50 year term of protection, many artists who had started their careers at an early age saw the copyrights on their first performances expire when they got older. The directive guarantees that musicians, artists and performers conserve their rights to their performances for practically their entire life.

The member states now have two years to adapt their national laws to the requirements of this rule.

For further information, please contact Eric Jordi: [email protected]