Ilmo. Sr. D. José Guirao
Plaza del Rei, 1
28004 Madrid
Bruselas, Feb 14 2019
On behalf of IMPF, the forum which is constituted by independent music publishing companies internationally, and, as on previous occasions, we are again writing to express the latest concern of our members by the proposal currently under discussion, which would result in music publishers who are linked to record labels being unable to take seats on the SGAE Board.
Such a proposal, should it go ahead, would cause serious disruption to the independent music publishing community, and would result in a highly discriminatory practise given that many of our members are 360° companies who, out of economic necessity, provide complementary services to the composers and authors they represent.
Should such an exclusion arise, it would not only be detrimental to the music market in Spain, but also contravene common practises among CMOs elsewhere in Europe and beyond. It would also be a gross infringement of our rights under the current European framework and so it is imperative that music publishers, not only as rightsholders, but given their professional and business expertise, have the right to stand for seats on the Board of SGAE.
We realise only too well the difficulties that SGAE continues to face, but if any of the rightsholders on the ground can help ameliorate what has become an intolerable situation it is music publishers.
I would ask therefore that you please consider carefully this new proposed article as it can only cause further harm in its present form.
Quedo a su disposición para la colaboración por nuestra parte que pueda requerir.
Atentamente,
Pierre Mossiat, President of the Board of Directors of IMPF
About IMPF
IMPF – the Independent Music Publishers International Forum – serves as an international network and meeting place for independent music publishers. Its main objectives are to share experiences and best practices in independent music publishing; exchange information on the legal and regulatory framework and music publishing environment; coordinate actions and support projects relevant to composers, authors and their music publishers; represent the interests of the independent music publishing community; and stimulate a favourable environment for artistic, cultural, linguistic and commercial diversity www.impforum.org
In Cc:
Executive Board of IMPF:
Francesca Trainini, MD of Oyez!, Italy, Simon Platz, MD of Bucks Music Group, UK, Annette Barrett, MD Reservoir/Reverb Music, UK/USA, Teri Nelson Carpenter, CEO of Reel Muzik Werks, USA, Pierre Mossiat, CEO of Strictly Confidential Music Group, Benelux, Niclaas Björlund, CEO of Edition Björlund, Sweden, Teresa Alfonso CEO of Teddysound, Spain, Ger Hatton, Adviser to the BoD
CISAC:
Gadi Oron, Director General, Sylvain Piat, Director of Business