EU to offer Web one-stop
B'casters can secure license for 18 European countries
Broadcasters will be able to secure a single pan-European license for Web broadcasting covering 18 European countries, replacing the cumbersome system that forces them to apply to each country's royalty collecting agencies for a license.
The new system, unveiled Tuesday, is intended to boost competition among the societies that collect the royalties on behalf of the music industry, so that radio and television stations can shop around for the best deals.
"The creation of a legitimate marketplace for simulcasting will benefit consumers and rights-holders," said EU competition tsar Mario Monti.
International rights holders will watch with interest, hoping that the decision merely facilitates the distribution of their work without compromising future royalty collections.
