Not only do recording artists have tax-free status in the Republic of Ireland but they may soon be able to keep earning tax-free on their music for a longer period of time.
Declan Ferry of the Sunday Times writes
The work of a recording artist is currently protected for 50 years after the material is released, allowing royalties to be collected on sales and other airings. After this the work goes into the public domain and people can use it for free.
The Irish Recording Music Association (IRMA), a lobby group for the Irish recording industry, is now demanding European law fall into line with American legislation, which extends royalty payments to 70 years.
Dick Doyle, the director general if IRMA, said Irish artists wanted “a level playing field.”
How about leveling the playing field by encouraging the US to reduce the length of their copyright to a more reasonable number of years.
Tags: copyright
