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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Kerry McCarthy (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 31 October 2013 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.


Online Music Streaming Services

Question

I thank the Minister for that response. A number of musicians have recently pulled their music from Spotify because the amounts that such online services pay is so minuscule that the emergence of new artists and the financial sustainability of new music are being threatened. Does he think that the larger labels should follow the example of some indie labels and give a 50:50 split to their artists?

Answer

As we are talking about new or emerging artists, may I use this opportunity to congratulate James Blake on winning the Mercury award last night? He is a

classically trained pianist who won for his album of ambient music. I would hesitate to interfere in the commercial arrangements of either the big labels or the indie labels, but I am sure that each can learn from the other.


Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
569 c1063 
Session
2013-14
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Music Royalties Streaming
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk