East Midlands MEP welcomes the opening up of online music market

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin has today welcomed new legislation giving a welcome boost to music lovers across Europe.

The new legislation will make it easier for online music providers to offer their services across the whole EU, rather than in just one or a few countries.

Currently, digital music services must comply with individual rules for licences, rights and royalties, meaning that only one digital music service is currently available EU-wide. However, following a vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, online music providers will be able to purchase licences that apply right across the EU, meaning that music lovers with have access to far more services and fewer licencing costs to music providers should mean lower prices for consumers.

Miss McClarkin, who welcomed the move during a speech in the debate, said afterwards:

“As a music lover myself I welcome this new legislation which will help increase consumer choice and increase the digital offers online. New digital music services such as Deezer and Spotify are coming online and challenging established tech giants in many EU countries, but they are currently hampered by outdated licencing laws. These rules will make it easier for companies to offer musical services right across the EU, with access to over 500 million consumers.

“For music lovers, these reforms will mean a greater choice of services and eventually cheaper music. This directive will help those new start-up companies that are already revolutionising how we receive our music online.

“The digital music revolution will no longer be hampered by outdated EU law. There are already some great online music services in different EU countries and soon they can be made available right across the continent.”