British Music Rights is leading a coalition of organisations in the music sector in a campaign for equal treatment by Ofcom in relation to how individual composers are treated by broadcasters.

OFCOM guidance already governs the commissioning of independent TV productions by broadcasters, but relations between individual freelance composers/creators are not covered. The BMR campaign group includes the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Musicians’ Union and the BPI.

A meeting between Ofcom and representatives of the British Music Rights group is to take place at which the case will be made that an equivalent code of conduct should apply to the commissioning of music from freelance composers and songwriters.

Ofcom's stated view is that the Codes of Practice already in place are generally regarded as working well and have helped to underpin growth in independent TV production. Similar Codes of Practice in other areas should therefore have the same, positive affect, the campaign group claims.
 
The new Code of Practice would apply to the negotiations between broadcasters (or independent companies contracted to them) and individual composers and songwriters. Despite the current explosion of the demand for and supply of music, music stock is still undervalued. Broadcasters have in the past defended low commissioning fees on the basis that the media composers' principal income stream is likely to be through the broadcast royalty receipts. However, composers are increasingly being coerced into both parting with their rights, and accepting even lower fees.

British Music Rights wants Ofcom to help draw up a voluntary Code of Conduct with broadcasters for commissioning music from composers, songwriters, and performers. This would then be attached to all commissioning contracts.

Emma Pike, Chief Executive of British Music Rights said “What music writers are asking for is not different to what exists in relationships between broadcasters and other areas of broadcast production. Music writers are just asking for a level playing field by extending Codes of Conduct that exist for small independent production companies, to also apply to other small creators - individual composers, songwriters and performers.”

For further information, please contact British Music Rights on 020 7306 4446 or email: britishmusic@bmr.org.

• British Music Rights (BMR) is an umbrella organisation that represents the interests of nearly 50,000 composers, songwriters and music publishers and their collecting societies, the MCPS and PRS, and is a leading industry voice in raising awareness of the value of music to the British economy, culture and society.