Irish Music Industry Supporting EU Copyright Proposals, Even As Internet Users Fear Consequences

IMRO is the national Irish organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members -- who are songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Earlier this month, the JURI committee in the EU's legislative branch approved a proposed model copyright law that would mean apps and websites would be obligated to screen uploaded content using automated filters to detect copyrighted material -- a decision IMRO welcomed -- with the proposal now moving to a Plenary vote by the full European Parliament in July.

The way copyright law stands, certain tech companies such as YouTube and Facebook have not been required to remunerate songwriters or music performers for the use of their work in user-uploaded content online.

The legislative effect, as proposed, would be similar to how YouTube tries to detect and block copyrighted audio and video from being posted on its site, but it would be applied to all types of content: text, images, software, audio and video. Critics say this section of the proposal - Article 13 - would lead to legitimate content, such as satire or short excerpts -- and memes -- being blocked, even outside the EU.

This has led to some controversy among internet users who fear individual freedoms are, like in the US through the repeal of Obama-era Net Neutrality laws, being stealthily erased.

The copyright proposal would be an EU directive, which would then be translated into laws in each EU country. The vague wording of some parts of the proposal make it difficult to predict the exact outcomes, especially given the absence of conversation from Irish legislators about the proposed laws

Chair of IMRO and singer-songwriter, Eleanor McEvoy, was among music creators from across Europe that met with MEPs at an event in Brussels on Wednesday to seek support for the copyright overhaul. Earlier, a petition with over 31,000 creators’ signatures, including 900 Irish signatories, was presented to attending MEPs.

Victor Finn, Chief Executive of IMRO, said of the proposed copyright framework: "Our position has always been that sharing of content online is good for music – for fans and for artists. What we are asking, is that like any professional in any sector, is that someone who writes, publishes and performs music gets a fair return for the use of their work."

Article 11 -- the other proposed copyright law brought about as a result of the the JURI committee -- has faced less criticism, a change which would force online platforms like Google and Facebook to pay for links to news content they use.

Major publishers have, for years since the advent of silicon giants usurping advertising revenue, pushed for the reform, seeing it as an urgently needed first-step in the solution against the damage that tech giants have wrought on traditional media companies.