News

Now is a crucial time for authors’ societies.

The proposal for a directive on collective rights management has been published – after much anticipation – and we embrace the changes this new legislation promises to bring about. Europe needs an up-to-date set of laws that takes into account the challenges of today’s changing world and reinforces the benefits authors’ societies provide, both to rights holders and to users.

Although harmonised European legislation is crucial, no-one is more invested in the good governance and transparency of authors’ societies than authors’ societies themselves. We already strive tirelessly to keep ourselves in check. Just last month CISAC, the international representative body of collective rights management societies, launched an in-depth review of the Professional Rules governing authors’ societies worldwide.

Music is a great leveller. Old, young, rich or poor – most of us enjoy listening to a few tunes. It relaxes us, sets a tone – and can even make us happier and more productive.
And you don’t have to take our word for it. A new study of some 1 000 companies in the UK has revealed that around three quarters of business leaders think music at work is a good idea for both staff and customers – raising morale and creating a better atmosphere.
Pub, club and bar owners are the biggest advocates of music in the workplace. A remarkable 93% swear by playing tunes to keep staff and customers happy – and over half would rather shut up shop for a day than work in a silent environment.
And music is good for productivity too. Most of those surveyed believe that worker output increases if music is playing – a trend that is shared across all industries. Now that’s heartening news in today’s current economic climate!

Author societies work hard to make things easier for their members and for the general public.

NCB – a Norway-based author society – is just one society that have put together handy jargon buster tools that explains some of the technical terms that can sometimes be used when we talk about issues related to rights.

The NCB is just one society that puts together this kind of resource.  We’re delighted to be sharing it and applaud their good work!