SONGWRITERS UNITE IN FAIRPLAYFORCREATORS

Songwriters and composers unite over the treatment of their work on the Internet with the launch the new website fairplayforcreators.com last Wednesday. Composers and songwriters did not ask for their music to be removed from YouTube, nor would they expect Google to continue to benefit from operating a service that relies so heavily on their music, without properly recognising and rewarding them for providing it.

The following music industry names have already provided their support: Tom Robinson, Jools Holland, Pete Waterman, Bjorn Ulvaeus (Abba), Guy Chambers (‘Angels'), Simon May, Mark Kelly (Marillion), Poly Styrene (X-Ray Specs), Peter Sarstedt, Carol Decker

It cannot be in anyone's best interests to block access to music. Fans are denied enjoyment, creators aren't paid and illegal music sites benefit from the resulting displacement of web traffic. There are three things that creators intend to result from the launch of this website and campaign:

1. Google should re-instate all music it has removed from YouTube to enable UK music fans to continue to enjoy a wide range of music across all genres and that Google should properly recognise and reward creators for providing them with the business benefit they derive from their work.

2.Composers and songwriters should earn what they rightfully deserve from the use of their music in the online space.

3. This should highlight the importance of royalties in nurturing creative music talent and providing them with an income stream which rewards their creativity in the same way any other creative person would be e.g. fashion designer, playwright or author.

  www.fairplayforcreators.com