Thread by @WeAreTheMU

This is MU Deputy General Secretary @NaomiPohl taking over @WeAreTheMU for live commentary and analysis on the #BrennanBill debate starting shortly. #FixStreaming #BrokenRecord

Watch live on BBC Parliament or ParliamentLive.TV at parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/d9…

Thanks to cross-party MPs who have expressed support for the #BrennanBill and understand why we must #FixStreaming and get a fairer deal for musicians & music creators. We held an event in the House of Commons last night to promote the Bill which was very well attended.- NP

.@KevinBrennanMP declares his membership of both @WeAreTheMU and @IvorsAcademy 🙌

Shout out to @RACHELBOLT10 who was at our event last night talking to MPs about how session & orchestral players receive no royalties from streaming. She's just been mentioned in the debate! Demonstrating the importance of the Bill to all musicians, not just household names - NP

.@KevinBrennanMP says the pandemic, when musicians have been unable to make a living from live performance, has drawn attention to the economics of music streaming. We can #FixStreaming and this Bill would go a long way to achieving a fairer deal for all musicians & creators. -NP

.@KevinBrennanMP says some of evidence given during the @CommonsDCMS Inquiry into the Economics of Music Streaming was "staggering". Labels have been making millions from streaming while musicians have been struggling to make ends meet. - NP

In his speech, @KevinBrennanMP references label executive pay. More information on the statistic he refers to here... theguardian.com/music/2021/nov…

Thank you to @tobyperkinsmp who was at our event last night and has highlighted the importance of session & orchestral players receiving equitable remuneration. @KevinBrennanMP says as radio listeners move to streaming, there is a risk of musicians losing vital royalties. - NP

.@KevinBrennanMP says the second element of his Bill would give better transparency to artists and songwriters so they would know how and when their music is used and be able to ensure they are paid fairly. This is something the EU Copyright Directive would have delivered - NP

@KevinBrennanMP The 3rd element of the #BrennanBill is contract adjustment, which would mean that contract terms could be revisited if remuneration was disproportionately low compared to the success of a recording. This would help address the imbalance of bargaining power between label & artist

.@KevinBrennanMP then explains the rights revocation element of the Bill, stopping life-of-copyright deals and enabling creators to get their rights back after 20 years. "My Bill seeks to bring revenue back into the hands of British music creators". #FixStreaming

@KevinBrennanMP .@KevinBrennanMP says equitable remuneration (ER) can work in such a way that it takes account of independent artists & smaller independent labels who are already doing ethical deals. He's right, if the Bill passes then there is still work to be done on how ER is delivered. -NP

.@KevinBrennanMP refers to the moment in the @thebeatles documentary Get Back where @PaulMcCartney wills into being the song Get Back - an incredible moment showing the magic of musical creation. Paul signed our #FixStreaming & #BrokenRecord letter... musiciansunion.org.uk/all-campaigns/…

@KevinBrennanMP @thebeatles @PaulMcCartney .@JWhittingdale talks about how he supported the music industry and @WeAreTheMU in trying to introduce a blank tape levy to cover private copying of music. Early piracy intervention. - NP

.@JWhittingdale justifies Lucian Grainge's income by saying he's an extraordinary talent. He is challenged on this by @columeastwood who says he has no doubt that Lucian is talented, but his business relies on the talent of artists who have been in financial hardship this year.

@JWhittingdale @columeastwood .@JWhittingdale is speaking in support of the labels. Sounds like he's been briefed by both major and some indie labels. John is a big music fan but is sadly missing the point that labels can afford to share more of their income with artists. Of course they say they can't! - NP

.@RhonddaBryant rightly says that there is an imbalance in bargaining power between labels & emerging artists which can lead to signature of unfair deals. The Government may take a view on this and feel terms should be revisited to make them fairer. This Bill would do that.

.@JWhittingdale highlights the value gap, i.e. sites with user uploaded content not paying fair licence fees to rightsholders. This is an issue but fixing it wouldn't #FixStreaming. We also need labels to share more revenue with performers & the value of the song increased. - NP

There is a problem that needs fixing. Fifi raised more from 100 fans via Crowdfunder than she would have received from 14m streams:

https://twitter.com/fifirong/status/1466406575359283204?s=20

. The #BrennanBill would help #FixStreaming and guarantee royalties for all musicians on streamed tracks. - NP

.@PeteWishart - thank you for coming to our #BrennanBill event last night He says MPs should pass the Bill to ensure "the people who produce and design these wonderful pieces of art should get proper remuneration." "We must let talent and creativity thrive, develop & mature." -NP

@PeteWishart Debate interrupted by an urgent statement on health and social care. There is a risk of the debate running out of time today. This Bill is a huge opportunity but it's not our only chance. Together we'll keep the pressure on Government to #FixStreaming & keep music alive - NP

@PeteWishart The Bill debate continues! @PeteWishart says in the 90s there was real financial reward for many artists from CDs. It is hard for the modern artist to make money. He gives the example of artists who have a Christmas hit, which used to bring a financial bonanza but no longer. - NP

@PeteWishart .@PeteWishart says he's waited 20 years for a Bill like this. The music industry is a brilliant industry and it can be "a field of dreams". He says "we have an opportunity to resolve a really serious situation here today." We can #FixStreaming. - NP

@GregKnight has called on MPs to vote for the Bill so it can be scrutinised at committee stage. Even if the Bill passes today, making it law is a long process that allows for further input, scrutiny and amendments. parliament.uk/about/how/laws/

Here's an explainer on equitable remuneration which would be delivered if the Bill passes musiciansunion.org.uk/news/a-fair-de…

.@dean4watford speaking passionately about songwriting and says he supports the principle of the Bill but sees the benefit of streaming in terms of music discovery. We are not anti-streaming, we just want a fair share for performers & music creators. #FixStreaming #BrokenRecord

The world is watching to see if the #BrennanBill passes today. Here's a blog looking at the international impact of #FixStreaming and our #ComposersAgainstBuyout campaign, written by me & @grahamidaviesuk of @IvorsAcademy musiciansunion.org.uk/news/fix-strea…

@grahamidaviesuk @IvorsAcademy Reference is made to a statement against the #BrennanBill from @bpi_music. We are aware that labels don't want the Bill to pass because it will force them to share more of their portion of streaming revenue with musicians, not to mention contract changes.

Whether the Bill passes today or not, we will keep campaigning to #FixStreaming. We believe that change is coming & we thank the Government and @CommonsDCMS for their support so far. The next steps will be further @The_IPO research & more discussion within the industry.

@CommonsDCMS @The_IPO The @CMAgovUK referral also gives us hope of positive change. We know the Government are looking at a 12 month process to investigate streaming further but crucially they have not ruled out legislative change. We may get it now or we will get it later! - NP

@CommonsDCMS @The_IPO @CMAgovUK .@JulieElliottMP is a member of @CommonsDCMS
and she was involved in the Inquiry. She says "the absolute unfairness" of streaming economics were clearly apparent. "Musicians are struggling to pay their bills and it is not right". This issue needs sorting out, she says. - NP

.@JulieElliottMP says she sees equitable remuneration as the obvious solution & also talks about contract issues. She says employment and marriage contracts can be terminated. Why shouldn't artists be able to get out of deals after 20 years if they want to! - NP

@JulieElliottMP .@EstherMcVey1 pays tribute to @KevinBrennanMP for his tireless work to bring the Bill to Parliament today and for raising the profile of this issues with streaming economics. She also refers to the imbalance of power between artists and labels. - NP

.@EstherMcVey1 also talks about major labels controlling major publishers. Labels keep more revenue on the recording side; publishers pay out more on the publishing side. So it makes sense for the majors to get more revenue on the recording side, to the detriment of artists.

.@EstherMcVey1 says streaming is a licence and not a sale. Treating streams as a sale maximises label's income and minimises royalties to musicians. She also talks about a lack of transparency & inappropriate deductions. "This needs to be changed".

.@EstherMcVey1 joined @KevinBrennanMP and I yesterday delivering a letter to @BorisJohnson asking him to back the #BrennanBill & #FixStreaming musiciansunion.org.uk/news/letter-su…

.@EstherMcVey1 explains why over 40 @ConHome MPs support our calls to #FixStreaming. She says "we don't believe in monopolies!" - the #BrennanBill has cross-party support. Esther has been leading the charge on the Conservative side of the House: musiciansunion.org.uk/news/44-conser…

@EstherMcVey1 @ConHome .@EstherMcVey1 says she will be supporting the #BrennanBill today - thank you Esther for your support of musicians.

https://twitter.com/WeAreTheMU/status/1466389852954497024?s=20

@EstherMcVey1 @ConHome .@SeemaMalhotra1 says "this is about exploitation, it is about an imbalance of power and it is unfair." She pays tribute to @MrTomGray for #BrokenRecord and to @WeAreTheMU & @IvorsAcademy for #FixStreaming.

.@SeemaMalhotra1 says labels "work for the few and exploit the many". Most streaming income ends up in the pockets of major corporations and digital giants. "It is the duty of this House to modernise the law so it reflects the reality of the music industry"

@SeemaMalhotra1 .@SeemaMalhotra1 says the @CommonsDCMS Inquiry exposed inequities in the economics of music streaming. She says the Government must give this issue Parliamentary time. The Bill's proposals are an important step forward and have cross-party support.

.@SeemaMalhotra1 says the status quo is not an option. "Reforms to copyright law will create a fairer system for musicians and for new talent to be paid fairly." Legislation is needed urgently. The House must "sing from the same songsheet" and commit to reform, she says. - NP

@SeemaMalhotra1 .@MrAndy_Carter says UK music is the soundtrack to our lives and this is actually the case around the world. @UK_Music's success has come about because we have brilliant songwriters, musicians and performers. He refers to the economic contribution of the music industry.

@SeemaMalhotra1 @MrAndy_Carter @UK_Music He argues that the David & Goliath metaphor is incorrectly applied here and that artists are getting higher royalty rates than they used to on streaming. But compare an individual artist on £20k per year and a label exec on £150m - how can you say that's not David & Goliath? - NP

@SeemaMalhotra1 @MrAndy_Carter @UK_Music .@MrAndy_Carter argues against ER. Here's @MrTomGray and @Guy_Garvey explaining how Equitable Remuneration benefits the whole community of musicians: musiciansunion.org.uk/all-news-and-f… #MusicStreamingInquiry #FixStreaming

How lovely that @GeraintDaviesMP has name-checked Sarah Angel who performed brilliantly at the @WeAreTheMU event last night to promote the Bill with @KevinBrennanMP.

@GeraintDaviesMP @KevinBrennanMP .@GeraintDaviesMP highlights that the share of streaming royalties received by musicians is too low. @JWhittingdale says a million streams isn't much, its equivalent to 1000 CD sales. But very few artists get multiple millions of streams! - NP

.@The_IPO report said that only around 700 UK artists can make a living from streaming and that's a calcuation based on a £1 stream rate, whereas we know stream rates are usually a very tiny fraction of that. The system is broken if it means artists can't make enough to live on.

@The_IPO .@GeorgeFreemanMP Minister for @BEIS is up. His dept is responsible for Copyright Law. He welcomes the level of cross-party engagement on this issue. He says he is working closely with @DCMS. He mentions digital innovation & how it drives investment.

@The_IPO @GeorgeFreemanMP @Beis @DCMS He says much digital innovation is driven by creativity and involves music. @GeorgeFreemanMP says the pandemic has robbed musicians of their income from live performance and we want this to be the best place in the world for musicians to create.

@The_IPO @GeorgeFreemanMP @Beis @DCMS .@GeorgeFreemanMP also refers to fair distribution of remuneration. The Government will take this moment to look quickly at all of the issues and impacts. He says people understand fairness. Musicians should be properly rewarded for their work.

.@GeorgeFreemanMP explains that 'musician' is a broad term which includes featured and non-featured performers as well as creators. He refers to wanting to look at the impact of any changes in the system before legislating. However, it seems that legislation isn't ruled out. - NP

@GeorgeFreemanMP .@GeorgeFreemanMP says that @AIM_UK don't support the provisions in the Bill but they do acknowledge that there's a problem. He also refers to the @bpi_music objections to legislation.

.@GeorgeFreemanMP asks @KevinBrennanMP to withdraw the Bill. However, Kevin says he would rather a vote. He says if the Bill progresses then there will be a chance to amend it. "If you get on the bus, it can still be re-upholstered to make it fit for purpose..." - NP

@GeorgeFreemanMP @KevinBrennanMP .@GeorgeFreemanMP says he is hoping to avoid legislation but "if we conclude that the only way to solve the problems in to legislate, then that option is open to us. We are very open to doing that." This is encouraging despite the Government not supporting the Bill today. - NP

.@GeorgeFreemanMP says his department is working with @DCMS including @NadineDorries to look at all the issues highlighted by the @CommonsDCMS Inquiry and the solutions set out in the #BrennanBill. He also pays tribute to @KevinBrennanMP's work to bring the Bill forward. - NP

Given the Government wanted the #BrennanBill withdrawn today, the speech by @GeorgeFreemanMP gives us hope of change (and potentially legislative change) in under a year. The Gov clearly recognises that there is a problem which needs investigation & we will keep campaigning.

There was a brief pause there while MPs voted on a closure motion, that is they voted on whether or not to end the debate and move to a vote. That fell, so the Minister is carrying on with his speech and the debate continues.

The Bill isn't dead but now it goes to the back of the queue. Thanks to all those MPs who have spoken in favour of the Bill today, of course @KevinBrennanMP in particular, and to the Government for all the positive steps they are taking to investigate the problems with streaming.

@KevinBrennanMP .@GeorgeFreemanMP says again that the Government does recognise the problem & will not hesitate to legislate if necessary. They favour an industry-led solution which is supported by musicians & creators. We will be involved in these discussions. - NP

@KevinBrennanMP @GeorgeFreemanMP Our members writing to MPs really works. It is clear that there is a lot of engagement with the #FixStreaming campaign & #BrokenRecord and that many MPs have really listened and understood the issues. This is by no means the end! We fight on! - NP

The #BrennanBill didn't pass today but the campaign to #FixStreaming continues. The MU will keep making the case to Government, and working with @IvorsAcademy and @MrTomGray #BrokenRecord to keep the pressure up. Look out for more actions very soon! Together we can #FixStreaming.

A HUGE thank you to MU member @KevinBrennanMP who used his Private Members' Bill to advocate for music makers. Today's debate shows support for our #FixStreaming asks bridges party divides & has moved us closer to putting the value of music back where it belongs - in your hands.