MTV has struck a new pan-European rights deal covering payment for the use of music videos from independent record labels.
The multi-platform deal, replacing and expanding upon one made three years ago, has been struck with London-based Video Performance Ltd VPL, sister company to neighboring rights collecting society Phonographic Performance Ltd. The deal now covers 50 MTV channels, an increase of 25 from the previous agreement, and also covers online and mobile use for the first time.
Repertoire involved is licensed from VPL’s indie members in the United Kingdom — comprising over 1500 companies — together with videos from members of 15 other European collecting societies. The license fees involved were not disclosed.
According to MTV Networks U.K. & International VP of business & legal affairs Roger James: “Not only is this a great multi-platform result for us and for the labels and artists involved, it also represents a really good example of the industry’s ability to fulfil large-scale agreements, involving multiple rights owners across multiple territories.”
“On behalf of the hundreds of independent labels across Europe who have entrusted VPL with their music video rights, I am delighted that VPL has concluded a further agreement with MTV,” said PPL/VPL director of legal & business Affairs and rights negotiation Peter Leathem, in a statement.
Leathem added: “It serves to demonstrate that where there is goodwill and mutual respect between rights owners, their representatives, and music users, satisfactory licensing agreements can be reached not withstanding today’s rapidly changing media environment.”
VPL issues licences to U.K. television stations (terrestrial and cable/satellite), programme makers and other users of music videos including clubs, pubs/bars and restaurants.
Licence fees are distributed to the video’s rights owners — usually the company responsible for producing the video.
