Press Release
| Music Publishers Support Landmark Accord with Record Industry For Launch of Internet Subscription Services |
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NEW YORK - November 27, 2001 - The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) announced today that their recent agreement with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to provide licenses for use of copyrighted musical works for Internet music subscription services has received overwhelming support from the more than 27,000 music publishers represented by HFA. As a result, HFA is poised to issue licenses for hundreds of thousands of musical works for delivery over the Internet. Under the agreement, the licensing process has been streamlined, allowing for "bulk" licensing of musical works. As a result, Internet music services will be able to obtain licenses immediately so that they may offer their subscribers the most diverse repertoire of music ever licensed for the Internet. HFA is committed to making licenses available to music services not covered by the RIAA agreement on substantially the same terms as those licenses are available to RIAA members under the agreement. On November 14, 2001, NMPA, HFA, and one such service - Listen.com, based in San Francisco - announced that they had reached agreement on the licensing of musical works for Rhapsody, Listen.com's digital music subscription service. "We are gratified that the agreement we made with RIAA has received such broad support in the industry," said Edward P. Murphy, President and CEO of NMPA. "Making licenses available to legitimate services is a critical part of making our publishers' broad repertoire of music available to consumers over the Internet. This marks an important step for music publishers and songwriters in making their works available through licensed Internet outlets, and in providing consumers a legitimate alternative to the rampant piracy of musical works that has plagued the Internet." "HFA is here to assist record and Internet companies that want to license music for online use," said Gary Churgin, President and CEO of HFA. "Our electronic licensing capabilities allow us to clear hundreds of thousands of titles at a time so an online service can launch with everything from hip hop to show tunes." About The National Music Publishers' Association: The National Music Publishers' Association, Inc., founded in 1917, works to protect and advance the interests of the music publishing industry. With over 900 members, the NMPA represent the most important and influential music publishing firms throughout the United States. About The Harry Fox Agency: The Harry Fox Agency, Inc., the licensing affiliate of NMPA, provides an information source, clearing house and monitory service for licensing musical copyrights, and acts as licensing agent for more than 27,000 music publisher principals, who in turn represent the interests of more than 160,000 songwriters. |
