CMM welcomes IPO announcements on metadata code and remuneration working group

31 May 2023 - Press release

The UK Council Of Music Makers (CMM), the umbrella body consisting of the Ivors Academy, the FAC, MMF, MPG and the MU, has welcomed today's announcement that a voluntary pan-industry code on metadata has been agreed. 

It follows yesterday's confirmation from the Government, accepting recommendations made by the Culture Media & Sport select committee, that an industry remuneration working group is to be established, bringing together representatives and experts from across the music sector to 'explore and develop industry-led actions that support fair remuneration for existing and future music creators as part of a successful and globally competitive music industry'.

The metadata code is a crucial first step to ensure that the entire UK music industry comes together to set new standards and processes on how vital song, composition and recording data is collated, ingested and distributed - ensuring that songwriters, composers, artists, musicians and producers are paid with greater accuracy and efficiency. 

Both work streams will continue to be led by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) alongside a separate working group on transparency. 

By addressing these three fundamental and interconnected areas - metadata, transparency and remuneration - and by working collegiately and on a pan-industry basis, the CMM remains positive that the UK industry can accelerate towards the five foundational changes we set out in March 2023 to deliver a new "artist-and-creator-centric" future. 

A significant amount of work has already gone into these IPO-led projects, not least from the IPO itself - however, much more still needs to be done. 

This week's announcements constitute some important steps in the right direction - but they are small steps on a longer journey. We encourage everyone in the music industry to join the CMM in committing to continue that journey until we reach our destination. 

Welcoming this week's announcements, the CMM members commented as follows: 

Graham Davies, CEO, The Ivors Academy: 
"Currently a fraction of recordings being streamed properly credit the people that wrote and published the song. This is bad for the creators who lose their due recognition and payment, this is bad for the consumer who wishes to know and search for this information, it is bad for digital service providers who wish to enhance the consumer experience, it is bad for the industry whose job it is to pay the rightsholders in a timely and accurate way. The Ivors Academy originally raised this issue with the DCMS Select Committee and are pleased that this code gives us the first proper step on a journey of closing the metadata gap."

Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musician's Union:
"Data has been a problem in the music industry for as long as royalties have existed. Accurate data will mean more money in music maker pockets and less getting lost in the system or mis-allocated. This can only be a good thing and is extremely welcome. However, our members also need to be paid more; the metadata issue isn't the only issue and we are delighted that the Government and IPO have now instigated a working group to look at creator remuneration. We look forward to advancing the complete reset of music streaming that the DCMS Select Committee called for."

Cameron Craig, Executive Director, Music Producers Guild: 
"The MPG welcomes the signing of the Metadata code of practice. The first step is always small and yet the most significant, this one will start music makers down the path to more accurate metadata for the whole UK Music Industry, allowing for better, more accurate remuneration and career progression through tangible crediting. We'd also like to take the opportunity to thank the DCMS Select Committee, Government ministers and the Intellectual Property Office for their work in making this possible. We are pleased the IPO and Government are listening and look forward to continuing to shape the next stages, ensuring that quality and quantity targets are met."

David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition: 
"The FAC would like to thank the Intellectual Property Office, the DCMS Select Committee and government ministers for bringing the UK music industry together in order to improve the streaming economy.  The signing of the metadata code of practice marks a small, but significant step on the journey towards a complete reset of streaming.  We look forward to contributing to the next stage of this work on metadata key performance indicators.  

"We also welcome the news that a creator remuneration group is to be established.  Remuneration is the FAC's main focus, as we seek a more equitable deal for the UK's artist community.  We welcome confirmation from ministers that legislative interventions remain an option if the industry is unable to reach voluntary agreement."

Annabella Coldrick, CEO, Music Managers Forum: 
"Once again, the MMF would like to put on record our gratitude to the DCMS Select Committee, the IPO and Government ministers for their recognition that concrete reforms are required if the UK's music streaming market is to keep pace with other countries. As reiterated yesterday by the Minister of State, sustaining a thriving music industry that delivers continued growth in an increasingly competitive global music market and fair remuneration for existing and future creators should be complementary and reasonable goals.The establishment of a working group on remuneration and a new pan-industry agreement on metadata are are clearly important steps - albeit early steps - in that direction. We now need all sides to get down to work, and deliver some meaningful changes."
 
 

A more detailed statement on the latest developments in the ongoing economics of music streaming work is available on the CMM website here:

A white paper setting out the key issues being addressed by this work and the CMM's ambitions for what can be achieved is also available on the CMM website here.