Streaming Payments Not Reasonable

“The amounts which artists receive from streaming services are far too small and a long way from being reasonable. The 60,000 composers, lyricists and music publishers must not be sacrificed on the altar of digital music,” he said.

At the Music Publishers Association (DMV) meeting in Wiesbaden April 22, he explained that publishers were worried by the fact that composers and lyricists were earning paltry amounts with their music from streaming services via collection society GEMA, whereas the record companies with their monopoly on hits were raking in large amounts.

He said it showed a lack of respect for the creative contribution made by the composers, lyricists and music publishers.

GEMA chief exec Dr. Harald Heker said the digital world is still a long way from ensuring fair remuneration for creative input. “We therefore urgently need the economic and legal foundations for safeguarding and encouraging creativity,” he said.