In a significant deal, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, with the backing of the global music industry, will announce a new licensing system for the distribution of music online.
Under the new structure, ISPs will be able to negotiate multi-territory licensing agreements with the music industry rather than face negotiations in each country where they provide webcast music services.
The biggest ramifications will be in Europe, where different rules in all the countries has been slowing up the launch and growth of online music services. The webcasting agreement is expected to be signed by collecting societies in more than 30 countries. It will enable internet companies such as AOL to agree a licensing deal in Britain that would also allow similar music webcasts in the US, France, Germany or Spain.
The new system will cover sound recordings but not webcast music videos.
[For a lowdown on the problems in Europe, read a rather timely story in WSJ today: European Download Blues (sub. req.)]
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