Statement on Cover Video Agreement as Important First Step but not Complete Solution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / February 15, 2013
Statement by NMPA President and CEO, David Israelite, on Cover Video Agreement as Important First Step, but not Complete Solution
"Recent news that two large multi-channel networks (MCNs), MakerStudios and Fullscreen, have reached a licensing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group is an important first step in compensating songwriters. But let me be clear - all MCNs must be licensed for the use of all songs. This agreement between two MCNs and one music publishing company does not solve the entirety of the problem. As the popularity of digital entertainment has grown, MCNs have significantly profited, often without compensating the songwriters whose work is being used.
Those who use the works of songwriters in videos must fairly compensate those songwriters and music publishers, and NMPA is committed to finding a complete solution.”
About the NMPA
Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.