About IMPF

IMPF is the Global Trade Body for Independent Music Publishers.  

We take advantage of the incredible opportunities to have our music on every service, licensed easily and without borders. Most importantly, we want our writers and our companies to be rewarded fairly for their work. 

IMPF is based in Brussels, the home of the European Institutions. And with our members located everywhere, we can quickly act on policy and key legislation that affects our writers and companies anywhere.

our purpose is to:

Represent

Represent the interests of the independent music publishing community internationally.

Share

Share experiences and best practices in music publishing.

Exchange

Exchange information on the legal framework as it affects the music publishing environment.

Coordinate

Support projects relevant to composers and music publishers.

Promote

Promote a favourable environment for artistic, cultural, linguistic and commercial diversity for composers and music publishers.

Challenges We Are Facing

The music publishing industry has experienced dramatic changes in recent years. Digitally delivered music has moved consumers towards cheaper alternatives to access music; Mergers and Acquisitions mean fewer companies, which weakens independent music publishers’ bargaining position; Online licensing is fast becoming the major source of income for publishers and writers. We want to ensure that we are getting our fair share, in what is mostly an opaque process and with, at times, minuscule returns.

Making Our Voices Heard

A robust copyright framework is needed to ensure the survival of the music eco system. But copyright is constantly either under threat or revision in most jurisdictions.  Without the active voices of our community these reviews can result in a dilution of rights for creators. IMPF ensures that independent music publishers are heard by all lawmakers. Publishers and collective management organisations are also coming up with new ways to provide reliable and affordable access to copyright information. IMPF believes in a realistic, macro-regional approach, providing fast integration of existing databases at the lowest possible cost.  

Challenges We Are Facing

The music publishing industry is experiencing some dramatic changes. Digitally delivered music has moved consumers away from ownership towards cheaper alternatives to access music. Mergers and acquisitions mean fewer companies which weakens independent publishers bargaining position. Online licensing is the major source of income for publishers and writers. Our concern in all of this is to ensure we are getting our fair share, in what is often an opaque process and with, at times,  minuscule returns.

Making Our Voices Heard

A robust copyright framework is needed to ensure the survival of the music eco system and copyright is constantly either under threat or revision in almost every jurisdiction.  Without the active voices of our community these reviews can result in a dilution of rights for copyright holders, and IMPF must ensure that independent music publishers are heard by all lawmakers. 

IMPF is an associate member of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) and ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) and works closely with the CMO members of CISAC at national level.  IMPF also works with IMPALA, ECSA and GESAC on European affairs. IMPF has a memorandum of understanding with AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers), a charter of cooperation with IMPEL, the licensing hub for independent music publishers, and a strategic alliance with The Ivors Academy to strengthen ties between music creators and publishers. IMPF also liaises at international level with CIAM (International Council of Music Creators) in this regard.  IMPF joins the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) at WIPO and is a Member of the Advisory Board of WIPO for Creators.  IMPF is a stakeholder to the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights of the European Union Intellectual Property Office. IMPF is a member of the Pro Music international coalition which promotes the myriad of different ways people can enjoy music safely and legitimately online. IMPF sits on the Advisory Board of Fair Muse a project “Promoting Fairness of the Music Ecosystem in a Platform-Dominated and Post-Pandemic Europe.” IMPF  has been an early supporter of the new platform CLIP, sitting on its advisory board on behalf of our members and the worldwide creative community.

IMPF has a best practise Code of Conduct and Ethics and partners with Keychange to works towards gender balance on the Boards, Committees and activities of IMPF. IMPF is a memer of the Human Artistry Campaign coalition. IMPF also supports the Credits Due Initiative.

Find out more about IMPF membership

As an IMPF member you will add your voice to a global network focused on your issues.