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Term of Protection for Musicians’ copyright extended from 50 to 70 years – Minister Sherlock
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, today (Tuesday) announced the signing into law of the European Union (Term of Protection of Copyright and Certain Related Rights) (Directive 2011/77/EU) Regulations 2013.
The Regulations provide an extended term of protection in sound recordings for performers and producers to 70 years after the performance was first made available to the public.
Welcoming the entry into force of the Regulations, Minister Sherlock said “The increase in the term of protection for musicians’ copyright from 50 to 70 years will make a real difference for performers.
“Many performers start their careers in their early 20s so that, with increasing life-expectancy, a 50-year term of protection term meant that a performer entering their seventies would lose the benefits of their creative works at a time when they may be in most need of the income stream from royalties due”.
“Today’s extension in the term of copyright will ensure that musicians are treated fairly and can now look forward to receiving remuneration for an extended period of their lifetimes”, Minister Sherlock concluded.
The Regulations came into effect on 1 November 2013 meeting all EU requirements for on-time transposition of the Directive.
See below link to regulations:
European Union (Term of Protection of Copyright and Certain Related Rights) (Directive 2011/77/EU) Regulations 2013