Benny met European Commission

"I am personally very concerned if we move to a situation where societies compete for pan-European business from large music users. This could lead to societies undercutting each other to get more business".
     These are sentences from a statement by Benny Andersson in the European Commissions hearing in Brussels in June. You can watch the video with his statement here.
     180 participants from more than 20 countries met concerning the Statement of Objection to the societies from the European Commission.
     Several composers made statements Henrik Otto Donner, Finnish composer, underlined that receiving remuneration from the use of his works has had a great importance for his sustenance. He found it somewhat perplexing when the users of his works are more worried about the effectiveness of his authors' right organisation than himself.
     Robin Gibb, English composer, stressed that solidarity between societies via the reciprocal agreements is crucial for authors and songwriters. He also made a note that there were no objections when he transferred from the Austrian society APRA to PRS in England.
     Bendik Hofseth, Norwegian composer: "As an author I am not against the idea of pan-european licenses. Indeed, in the Nordic area through NCB we have had positive experience with multi-territorial licensing. What I do not want is for my representation to be handled by another society far away from Norway, uncertain of my representation there, my rights, a foreign language, uncertain about the service level and the commitment to me and my repertoire".