Brussels - European authors and composers have been called upon to weigh in on a new European Union proposal that would make it easier to license songs and other works simultaneously across all 30 European Economic Area nations, Reuters reported.

The European Commission charged in February that the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies (CISAC) -- which represents 18 European copyright collection societies -- was engaging in anti-competitive behavior with rules that called for individual rights to be negotiated for each different country.

The licensing scheme has been criticized for hampering the launch of digital music stores and other services in Europe.

Authors and composers have until July 9 to voice their approval or dissent of the EU's plan to loosen CISAC contracts so that they can more easily transfer rights to their works across European nations.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/233hwp (Reuters)

http://www.cisac.org