ERA STATEMENT ON MUSIC STREAMING METADATA

Following today’s publication by the Intellectual Property Office of a UK music industry agreement on streaming metadata, Kim Bayley, CEO of digital entertainment and retail association ERA said:

“The agreement on music streaming metadata marks a real breakthrough for the entire music industry. Metadata is the vital information attached to a track which enables artists to get paid, but too often it is incomplete or inaccurate. We have all known for a long time the need to improve metadata to increase efficiencies for everyone and to speed the flow of royalties to songwriters in particular. The new agreement provides a roadmap to do exactly that, putting metadata right at the heart of the conversation about how we create a better streaming ecosystem for all.

“On behalf of the UK’s streaming services, I would like to thank all of our industry partners for making this agreement possible. I would like to thank in particular the Intellectual Property Office for brokering the agreement.

“The streaming revolution driven by ERA’s members has brought enormous benefits to musicians and fans alike, and streaming companies pay around 70 pence in the pound from streaming subscriptions direct to the music industry. It is unacceptable that musicians miss out on money simply because the industry does not know who to pay. Progress on improving metadata should ensure that even more of the money gets to the right people.”