Bee Gees legend and now President of CISAC, Robin Gibb, opened the Popkomm Music Conference in Berlin this week.
During his keynote address, Gibb recalled his early career when it was more about fun than business. “Writing music was fun for us, because it was our job. And thanks to the copyright collection societies we received fair remuneration for this work”, said Gibb during the opening keynote speech of Popkomm on Wednesday morning. “It is bizarre that these societies are now being threatened by those who should really be protecting us, the European Commission.”CISAC represents 222 author societies in 118 countries.
He wants reciprocal agreements between CISAC members but the European Commission sees that as anti-competitive.
“Our arrangements do not grant exclusive rights”, Gibb makes it clear, despite accusations that illegal agreements are being made. “I urge the Commission to begin talks with us”.
Popkomm continues today (Thursday) and concludes tomorrow.
