UK improves conditions
and payment for music artists 

The three so-called 'Majors', Universal Music UK, Sony Music Entertainment UK and Warner Music UK, announced in July how they are responding to the recommendations to alleviate the poor streaming economy for artists. The new guidelines include, among other things Better opportunity to renegotiate old contracts, customised marketing campaigns, minimum payment of £75 to songwriters for sessions and songwriting camps, and higher minimum rates through an agreement between BPI and the Musicians' Union. 

Significant political initiative  

In July, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) published a series of guidelines for UK record labels aimed at supporting songwriters, session musicians and established artists.

The guidelines have been created based on a report from 2024 by the Creator Remuneration Working Group (CRWG) - a working group set up by the UK government. Together with other music organisations, the Danish Artist Association has called for such a group in Denmark, so far without success:  

"We have called on Danish politicians to to set up a similar working groupThe results from the UK show that politicians need to understand the whole picture and from there receive recommendations on how they can help the parties in the labour market find a fairer solution for music artists," says Sara Indrio, Chairperson of the Danish Artist Association.

A modest amount, but a great victory

Although the minimum rates seem low in a Danish context, Sara Indrio believes that the record companies' commitment is a great victory for her colleagues in the UK:

"This is a historic victory, because these groups in the UK have not been paid until now. And now, of course, the agreement must be put into practice. But it's a really important step in principle that will hopefully have a knock-on effect in many more countries, including Denmark," she says, adding:  

"We have a strong and good working relationship with our UK sister organisation FAC, who have been an important part of the proposal and know how much work has gone into getting here." 

Record labels have committed to implementing the guidelines and the initiatives will mean multi-million pound investments in the UK music industry by 2030.

Read the BPI article and the five guidelines here.