Brussels - The European Union has done away with the byzantine music royalty collection scheme that forced digital music services to acquire licenses to operate in each individual country, opting to instill a Europe-wide license for such services. Companies like Apple had pointed to the previous system as the cause of delays in rolling out its iTunes Store across Europe, and U.K.-based digital music retailer 7digital described the decision as "a blessing for us" to PaidContent UK.

In addition to removing restrictions for digital music retailers, the Commission also removed a requirement that composers register with the collection society in their home country.

"The removal of these restrictions will allow authors to choose which collecting society manages their copyright (e.g. on the basis of quality of service, efficiency of collection and level of management fees deducted)," the European Commission said in its statement.

"It will also make it easier for users to obtain licenses for broadcasting music over the internet, by cable and by satellite in several countries from a single collection society of their choice."

The Commission initially opened an investigation into European royalty collection societies after complaints were lodged by broadcaster RTL and online music provider Music Choice.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/2zq7m (European Commission statement)

http://snipurl.com/2zq6j (PaidContent UK)