30 January 2008
GEMA, The MCPS-PRS Alliance and STIM join Warner/Chappell Music's Pan-European Digital Licensing (PEDL) initiative
Three key collection societies are the first to sign up to PEDL initiative
Initiative designed to facilitate the licensing of musical compositions for digital music services throughout Europe
Cannes, France: Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, and one of the world’s largest music publishers, today revealed the first three collection societies to sign up for its Pan-European Digital Licensing (PEDL) initiative. GEMA, The MCPS-PRS Alliance and STIM will be now be authorised to offer pan-European digital licenses in Warner/Chappell’s Anglo-American repertoire. Today’s announcement is a key step towards simplifying the process for rights users licensing Warner/Chappell’s catalogue.
Under the initiative, WCM is granting non-exclusive rights in its catalogue to those collection societies which comply with a set of common standards intended to ensure the efficient, transparent management of rights as well as appropriate and accurate compensation for songwriters. The PEDL initiative will remain open for other collection societies to join at a later date.
The PEDL initiative is consistent with the European Commission’s Recommendation of 18 October 2005 on collective cross-border management of copyright and related rights for legitimate digital music services.
Jane Dyball, Senior Vice President, International Legal and Business Affairs, Warner Chappell Music, said “We are delighted to be expanding our relationships with GEMA, The Alliance and STIM and working towards an innovative, effective licensing model that responds to the commercial opportunities presented by new technologies. Our aim is to make obtaining a pan-European licence for the WCM catalogue much easier, whilst maintaining value for rights-holders and benefiting our song-writers.”
Dr. Harald Heker, Chief Executive Officer, GEMA, said ”We are proud to continue our long-lasting working relationship with Warner/Chappell Music in the important field of digital music services. The agreement should lead to our customers gaining easier and more comprehensive access to Warner/Chappell Music’s repertoire via pan-European licences.”
Steve Porter, Chief Executive, MCPS-PRS Alliance, said “We are delighted to be representing an exciting new way of working for European societies. We are looking 
forward to working with WCM and other societies to be at the forefront of providing simple licensing solutions for the creators and users of music across Europe.”
Kenth Muldin, CEO, STIM said "STIM is proud to be associated with WCM and the other first wave societies joining the PEDL initiative. STIM is committed to progressive licensing and administration models that cater for the demands of the creators, publishers and users of music. STIM is excited to be bringing to the marketplace a new generation of licensing products. All of us at STIM greatly look forward to a close working relationship with WCM."
Pictured (L-R): Dave Johnson (Warner/Chappell), Steve Porter (MCPS-PRS Alliance),
Jane Dyball (Warner/Chappell), Katrin Salwén (STIM), Alexander Wolf (GEMA)
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About Warner/Chappell Music:
Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as "Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world's greatest music.
About GEMA:
Based in Germany, GEMA is a non-profit organization that represents the copyrights of more than 60,000 members (composers, lyricists and music publishers) as well as of over 1 million rights owners from all corners of the world. It is one of the largest authors’ societies in the world for works of music. www.gema.de
About The MCPS-PRS Alliance:
MCPS and PRS are the not-for-profit UK collecting societies that ensure composers, songwriters and publishers are paid royalties when their music is used: from live performance to TV and radio, CDs to DVDs, downloads, streams and everything in between. Royalties create a future for music by supporting creators while they continue to write. MCPS and PRS are committed to delivering maximum royalties and world-class service. They work together in an operational alliance to get the best value for the music use of composers and songwriters everywhere. The MCPS-PRS Alliance will bring the PRS performing right alongside WCM's mechanical right in the PEDL initiative. www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
About STIM:
STIM, the Swedish Rights Society, is a non-profit organisation owned by music creators and music publishers that licenses all types of users both the performing and mechanical rights and ensures that the proceeds are distributed in a swift, efficient and transparent fashion. STIM has long been a lead partner in the Nordic and Baltic collaboration that has for many years allowed music users to obtain cross-border licenses for eight territories and plays a key role in the maintenance of the joint repertoire database that allows for individual distributions. STIM is committed to achieving the highest possible standard in transparent music rights licensing and administration in all fields, be it the physical, analogue or digital market. For in depth information on STIM's activities please visit www.stim.se
PRESS CONTACTS:
Warner/Chappell Music
James Steven
00447870 70 4646 james.steven@warnermusic.com
GEMA
Bettina Mueller
0049/89 48 003-426 bmueller@gema.de
Angelika Schindel
0049/171-5220227 aschindel@gema.de
The MCPS-PRS Alliance
Adrian Crookes
0044791 819 4151 adrian.crookes@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
STIM
Margita Ljusberg
0046 70 640 2888 margita.ljusberg@stim.se