IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association

We encourage all IMPALA members to join The Music Climate Pact (MCP) webinar on 9 September: 'Navigating Sustainability & Green Claims in the Music Industry’.    IMPALA is an MCP supporting organisation and all IMPALA members can attend.    The main goal of the webinar is to educate and encourage the sector to align on how it can lead in communicating its environmental initiatives with knowledge and confidence. This is important and timely because new rules on sustainability claims will apply from September 27 this year, which is an opportunity as well as a compliance issue. If members would like more background ahead of the webinar let us know, we did a short five point summary for members last year. 📆 Wednesday, 9 September, 4pm GMT / 5pm CET 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eNWnMrbN

🤖Earlier this month IMPALA’s digital music plan recommended excluding materially AI generated content from algorithms and royalty pools, with tracks generated by unlicensed tools not uploaded in the first place. Read our Digital Music Plan: https://lnkd.in/efE6PJH3 The same principles should apply across the ecosystem and this week's announcements on chart rules are in line with this. See IFPI statement on the eligibility of AI tracks in the chart : https://lnkd.in/eVi-R_HX Reaching industry agreement on labelling and definitions, which was announced a few weeks ago, is foundational, as IMPALA also set out in its digital music plan. See statement introducing new AI labelling programme: https://lnkd.in/eAYzJRHj Stopping dilution gives genuine artists the space to create and the freedom to using AI tools to enhance their music if they wish. An optimal market prioritises human artistry and diversity in all its forms and, as with digital, we see this as a moment for opportunity and collaboration to review overall functioning and ensure an inclusive, diverse and dynamic market.

Great to see Music Week published an opinion piece by Association of Independent Music (AIM) CEO Gee Davy this week, welcoming new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and urging the government to do more to support the independent music sector. Gee explains why the French model of tax credits is the way forward to support businesses investing in new talent.   The issues raised by Gee reflect many of the priorities in Dan Fowler’s ecosystem report and IMPALA's Industrial Policy for Culture action plan, both setting out how independent cultural businesses can be better supported to grow and invest across Europe.   Great illustration of #WhyIndependentsMatter   Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/eJAaf6As   Read Dan Fowler’s ecosystem report: https://lnkd.in/eqyWgh2b   IMPALA's Industrial Policy for Culture action plan: https://lnkd.in/eNymqNak

Need more help on AI? Following IMPALA’s Digital Music Plan, which has two chapters dealing with AI, our advice on rights reservation, and a recent note on what to look out for in terms of signing contracts. Check out WIN Worldwide Independent Network's resources for members on copyright exceptions, which have been updated. Copyright Exceptions Related to AI Training, with an overview of the situation in different regions globally, as well as their AI Toolkit on Copyright Exceptions, designed to help associations respond to proposals that would weaken copyright protection or introduce new copyright exceptions for AI training.  More info 👉 winformusic.org/ai/ IMPALA's Digital Music Plan 👉 https://lnkd.in/exrwyr3R

The volume of fully AI-generated music being uploaded to streaming services has surged yet again, with the content accounting for more than half of all new tracks uploaded to Deezer for the first time in June. According to eye-opening new stats revealed by the Paris-headquartered streaming service today (July 21), Deezer was receiving nearly 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day in June. On peak days, that content made up more than 50% of all new music delivered to the service. Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer, said: “We have reached a pivotal moment, but we have the technology to keep track of the development, and an ambition to do what’s right. If the industry can align and come together to create shared standards, we can build a healthy and sustainable music ecosystem, where great music wins.” 🔗 Full Story: https://lnkd.in/dPFA9gaM #musicindustry

Artist and label groups from different European markets support EC action to increase the level of rights protection worldwide by: - introducing proportionate EU legislation confirming reciprocity while accommodating different national systems (such as national treatment) - encouraging trading partners to introduce a full set of domestic rights Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/dn5_y8qE

🚨 Generative AI labelling announcement🚨   🔎 As reported in The Wall Street Journal, a broad spectrum of recorded music organisations has introduced a new voluntary labelling programme to bring greater transparency to the use of generative AI in sound recordings.   🎶 Led by organisations including IFPI, Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA), A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), WIN Worldwide Independent Network, IMPALA, The Grammys, SAG-AFTRA and the Human Artistry Campaign.   ✅ As set out in IMPALA’s Digital Music Plan, establishing standard definitions and an industry-wide framework for AI-generated material and labelling is crucial and urgent for the independent sector. This is an important first step towards a provenance system that the whole industry can embrace as a quality mark.   🔸Read the joint statement-> https://lnkd.in/eGCQ75tS 🔸Read our Digital Music Plan -> https://lnkd.in/ePnKn8nQ 🔸Read Wall Street Journal article -> https://lnkd.in/eeJDW8pM