European artists unite to stand up for their rights!

Alliance of Younison, Featured Artists Coalition, Technopol and DJ Monitor call for European legislation to protect artists

Younison (Belgium) has been joined by Featured Artists Coalition (UK), Technopol (France) and DJ Monitor (the Netherlands) to form an alliance to demand European legislation which enforces precise, regular and transparent redistribution of all revenues from the digital exploitation of copyrighted works collected by European collecting societies. This alliance now represents almost 5,000 artists and is increasingly becoming the leading source of expertise in the music community for European and national politicians.

Among the artists and music managers now represented by the alliance are Ed O’Brien (Radiohead), Annie Lennox, Armin Van Buuren (voted world’s N°1 DJ), Dave Stewart, Kate Nash, Tom Barman (dEUS), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), KT Tunstall, Afrojack (Grammy winner 2010), Robbie Williams, Michel De Hey, Steve Rachmad, Laidback Luke, Joost Van Bellen, Billy Bragg, Stijn Meuris, Sandie Shaw and almost 5,000 others.

“The EU is preparing new legislation which will determine how artists receive royalties and are informed by their national collecting societies This new law will be mission critical in supporting artists and creativity in the future in Europe. Together with the other artists we will use our influence to make sure that our voices are heard and that our demands are included in the new Directive” said Kelvin Smits, Younison Director.

FAC Co-Chairman and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason added “In its campaign for the protection of artists’ rights, FAC acknowledges the importance of EU legislation in ensuring a vibrant pan-European creative zone. We are teaming up with Younison to form a European network to ensure the voice of the artist is heard at the highest echelons of EU power. Together we are going to fight for artists’ rights.”