The Establishment of an Independent Irish Music Rights Organisation

A Hot Press Editorial Statement

FOR IRELAND’s songwriters and composers, the hour of reckoning is finally at hand. Over the past few days, members will have received a letter, jointly signed by Wayne Bickerton of the PRS and Brendan Graham of IMRO, regarding the future development of the Irish Music Rights Organisation.

A ballot paper was enclosed with this letter which entitles members to vote on this vital issue. The closing date for voting is Wednesday 30th November. That is the crucial date, on which a very important aspect of the future Irish music infrastructure will be decided.

Hot Press has spelt out the arguments in favour of an independent royalty collection society in Ireland in the past. These include the fact that:

• a locally elected Board will be far more accessible to Irish members

• a specifically national society should be able to collect royalties more effectively in Ireland, and will have greater influence lobbying the Irish government on songwriters’ behalf

• an independent society will create additional jobs in Ireland for work currently being done in London

• an independent Irish society will more effectively represent Irish music and Irish composers in dealings with other international copyright agencies

• no withholding tax will be deducted on royalties of Irish residents

• there will be no currency loss on royalties earned in Ireland.

The net benefit of all these factors should represent a significant boost for Irish writers and composers, with the overall earning capacity of those whose songs are being performed and played increasing substantially.

However, beyond the purely economic issue, there is another more fundamental consideration. Ireland is a sovereign nation, with its own institutions of State and full membership of the European Community. In that context it is entirely unacceptable that in terms of songwriters’ rights and copyright collection, we should still be represented in a way that is a throwback to a time when we were a colony of the British Empire. We are capable of handling our own affairs. The vote to establish the Irish Music Rights Organisation as a full copyright collection agency is an opportunity to assert that, in no uncertain terms.

Hot Press believes that Irish PRS members should use this opportunity by voting in force, to establish IMRO as an independent, Irish-run, Irish-controlled royalty collection agency. It is a statement of our independence. Nothing less should be acceptable.

• Niall Stokes

Editor