Senior
executives from streaming platforms Spotify, Apple and Amazon
appear before MPs next week in the final session of the
economics of music streaming
inquiry.
The session is expected to focus on
streaming revenues, alternative business models, the relationship
with the music industry and how listener data is used. It will
also consider how platforms respond to competition from online
platform YouTube, which gave evidence
earlier this month.
Digital and Culture Minister
will also appear before MPs who are likely to raise
protection for copyright in light of the Government’s decision
not to proceed with a UK equivalent to the EU Copyright
Directive.
MPs are considering issues underlying
the production and licensing of streamed music which have led to
calls for a review of the distribution of streaming revenues in a
more equitable way.
The inquiry has heard from the
UK’s independent music
sector while an earlier session took
evidence from senior executives of major record
labels Sony
Music, Warner Music and Universal Music.
Artists and performers who have given
evidence include songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers in
the second
session, Radiohead’s
Ed O’Brien, Elbow’s Guy Garvey and soloist Nadine Shah at
the first
hearing.
In December, Committee Chair
released a statement
concerning potential witnesses who
might be deterred from coming forward because of fears that
action would be taken against them.
Witnesses,
15.15:
· Horacio
Gutierrez, Head of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer,
Spotify
· Elena Segal,
Global Senior Director of Music Publishing, Apple
Inc
· Paul Firth,
Director of International Music, Amazon
From approx.
16.30:
· Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for
Digital and Culture, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and
Sport
· Robert Specterman-Green, Director of
Media and Creative Industries, Department for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport
· Adam Williams,
Interim Director, Copyright and Enforcement Directorate,
Intellectual Property Office
