From The Guardian Musicians win copyright extension to 70 years September 11th 2011


Musicians win copyright extension to 70 years

Artists including Sir Cliff Richard had argued they would lose royalties, but will now gain protection until at least 2033

Thousands of music performers, from little-known session musicians to Sir Cliff Richard, will receive royalties from songs released in the 60s for an extra 20 years, under new copyright laws ratified by the EU on Monday.

The legislation – known as "Cliff's law" after its most high-profile campaigner – extends copyright on music recordings from 50 years to 70 years.

Copyright on many of the most popular 60s tunes, including many Dame Shirley Bassey hits, had been due to expire within two years but will now last until at least 2033.

The directive is expected to be implemented by EU member states by 2014. The law applies only to the performers of the music. Composers already own copyright over their music until 70 years after their death.

The move marks a significant victory for the music industry, which has long campaigned for the change amid lost sales and online piracy. CD sales fell 12% year on year to 98.5m in 2010, while digital downloads failed to fill the gap, according to figures released in January.

"This important decision comes not a moment too soon," said the chief executive of UK music industry body the BPI, Geoff Taylor. "An exceptional period of British musical genius was about to lose its protection. As a matter of principle, it is right that our musicians should benefit from their creativity during their lifetimes, and that they should not be disadvantaged compared to musicians in other countries."

The music industry has extensively lobbied government to increase copyright for performers from 50 years to 95, but an independent review shelved that plan in November 2006.

As part of the directive, music labels must ensure that all recordings are commercially available or allow the artists to release the recordings themselves.

Eight EU member states – Belgium, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden – voted against the legislation.

Jools Holland OBE, the host of the BBC's Later show and famous jazz pianist, said: "It is fantastic news to hear that copyright term has been extended to 70 years. Artists put their hearts and souls into creating music and it is only fair that they are recompensed in line with the rest of Europe.

"It's important that creators get paid for the work they do and this extra 20 years is much deserved."

My mums favourite singer.  She saw him in concert a couple of times.

Livin' Doll was played at her funeral.

His only song I know is  "We Don't Talk Anymore".


Yeah, that's the one I always think of too.  It hit #7 on the American Hot 100 in 1979.  I remember total Top 40 radio overkill on it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pulwa9s7Q_4

I know that one and Devil Woman
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Yeah, that's the one I always think of too.  It hit #7 on the American Hot 100 in 1979.  I remember total Top 40 radio overkill on it!



Total overkill yes.

In the early-mid 60s, Cliff was one of the biggest stars in Canada.  My mom used to tell me that when she went to see Summer Holiday, the girls in the theatre were screaming for him like he was Elvis.  Only he was ... the British Elvis lol

I have this on CD.  The title is a bit misleading because it is a 2 Disc set.  His whole story would not fit on 2 discs lol

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YS1S55GDL.jpg

I was a fan of his in from the late 60's through to about the early 80's.  He never quite cracked the biggest market in the world though!

They had Elvis!

I still remember his impromptu performance at Wimbledon during a long rain delay. He had the crowd singing along...

I love "Dreamin'" and "Devil woman".  I also liked "Suddenly", his duet with Olivia Newton John.  "We don't talk anymore." was a good one, but always made me sad for some reason.  :-\\

I still remember his impromptu performance at Wimbledon during a long rain delay. He had the crowd singing along...
I happened to be watching Wimbledon that day on television, it was raining all over the UK and I had no cricket to go to. When watching I was thinking "oh no!"

I absolutely LOVE this one:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDgc1Ljmuu4


It always brings tears to my eyes (in a good way).



Cat

I just know of
Devil Woman from 1976, 1979's We Don't Talk Anymore, 1980's Suddenly, and
this one also from 1980,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SvbPqryKgQ
Carrie (February 1980)

I still remember his impromptu performance at Wimbledon during a long rain delay. He had the crowd singing along...


...while millions of others watching at home were cringeing visibly!

Not sure if this was the reason the roof on centre court was built shortly after!

Nowdays, Cliff's new efforts are rarely heard anywhere - only his hardcore fans ensure he has healthy-ish chart placings...

Nowdays, Cliff's new efforts are rarely heard anywhere - only his hardcore fans ensure he has healthy-ish chart placings...


That's a shame, but it's like that with any artist who has been around enough to hit "legend" status.  The Rolling Stones for instance, I can barely name any of their songs after 1990