CIAM Meets with Music Creators North America in New York

On 10 May, all the associations and guilds of Music Creators North America (MCNA) met in New York at the BMI premises and CIAM president Lorenzo Ferrero was invited to attend. Amongst the discussions were the forming of a more structured organisation; one that could include full representation of all repertoires. A common fund was established and a treasurer appointed.

The following day, MCNA met with the CIAM Executive Committee and representatives of CIAM’s partner alliances from Latin America and Africa. The agenda began with an update on the “work for hire” issue for film composers in the USA, before moving on to discuss recent events. These included the partial transfer of the UMPG catalogue from ASCAP to SESAC and the subsequent issues for creators that have arisen from the lack of information and transparency. An update on the discussion regarding Consent Decrees at the Department of Justice was presented, as well as an update on the latest recommendations of the US Copyright Office.

This meeting was also the opportunity for a frank and constructive discussion with Pierre Mossiat, chair of the Independent Music Publishers Forum. Going forward, a regular exchange of information, positions and concerns was agreed.

The meeting was concluded with an update on Fair Trade Music, the certification criteria for individual releases, and the announcement of the first certified release: “Persona” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.