BASCA demanding a fairer share of digital royalties for UK songwriters

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) is so appalled by the insurmountable hurdles to a full-time song-writing career in the digital age, it is launching a campaign to annihilate the challenges.

Called The Day The Music Died, the initiative focuses on the role and importance of songwriters and composers in all aspects of the music industry.

In terms of rights, there are so many odds against them, the profession is in danger of becoming financially untenable.

The campaign’s goal is to find a remedy that will ensure the recognition of their contribution to the whole UK music industry and demand a more equitable share of the income generated via digital exploitation.

To this end, BASCA is demanding more transparency around digital deals so that songwriters’ full contributions are acknowledged in the form of a fairer share of digital royalties and advertising revenues.

BASCA is also calling for improved protection of musical works online via more robust regulations of illegal content on search engines. It is also insisting on swifter removal of copyrighted music from infringing websites and apps.

In addition, BASCA is urging its members (who include Sir Paul McCartney, Dizzee Rascal, Gary Barlow, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush and Imogen Heap) to write to their local politicians highlighting the campaign’s message.

Its strategy includes working with the UK government, the European Commission and other British music industry trade bodies to raise awareness of the challenges facing the song-writing community.

“Without songwriters and composers, there is no music industry and it is, therefore, scarcely believable that writers are almost an afterthought when it comes to getting paid for their work from digital sources,” Vick Bain, CEO of BASCA, says. “It is not an exaggeration to say that unless things change, and change soon, the incredible legacy and future health of British songwriting is at real and immediate risk.”

Later this year, BASCA will be launching a consumer version of the campaign to draw attention to the role of songwriters in fans’ favourite musical recordings.

[Juliana Koranteng]