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Much is said about the transparency and governance of collective management societies, but what is the reality? What role do societies have in authors’ professional life? What place and role do authors have in their society? Do they have a real say in how their rights are managed? How do they take part in decision-making?

These are just some of the questions mooted on Tuesday in the European Parliament in Brussels. Authors and their societies met with parliamentarians engaged in the collective rights management dossier to share ideas, raise concerns and explain their point of view.

In front of a packed-out crowd, three Members of the European Parliament, Helga Trüpel, Marietje Schaake and Emma McClarkin were given the chance to question both the CEO of the author society active in their home country and one of this society’s members. The event was kindly hosted by MEP Cecilia Wikström.

This week, Anton Reixa – CEO of SGAE – spoke at the Creators’ Conference in Brussels.  In a frank and thought-provoking speech, he outlined some of his concerns about the situation of authors in general and in particular in Spain.

Last month, SGAE had the great opportunity to invite in its Madrid premises, through its think tank, Instituto Autor, Pr. Silke Von Lewinski, Director of the International Department of the Max Planck Institute (Munich).  After the Master Class, Adriana Moscoso, coordinator of the Instituto Autor, interviewed Mrs. Lewinski about her views on the EU actuality, and in particular the EU proposal on collective management.  Mrs. Lewinski insists in particular on the social and cultural role of collective management societies and on their importance to guarantee cultural diversity in Europe.

You can view the whole video here

Today, during the Creators’ Conference ECSA – the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance – issued a very important declaration stating their continued support for the exclusive assignment of performing rights to author societies. They highlighted the various benefits this ensures, namely:

• Equal treatment and certainty of repertoire
• Transparency and certainty for creators

You can read the full declaration here.