AIF CALLS ON PRS FOR MUSIC TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR LIVE MUSIC TARIFF CONSULTATION
The Association of Independent Festivals is considering PRS for Music’s long-awaited consultation on the revision of the tariffs that live music venues, including festivals, are currently charged for the use of copyright music.The consultation is scheduled to close on 7 September 2010. Given the complexity of the issues under consideration and the impracticability of consulting our members during the peak summer season, AIF have formally requested that PRS for Music extend the consultation period to 31 December 2010.The consultation is wide ranging, including reviews of the Tariff LP (for popular music events) and Tariff DP (for dance parties). PRS invites stakeholders to submit their views on a variety of issues including the secondary ticketing market, the percentage of the basic rate, restructuring the royalty base, and the proposed termination of Tariff DP with dance party events to be charged under Tariff LP.AIF very much welcomes the opportunity to provide input and to respond to the consultation on the proposed review of the tariffs. Our members include some of the best-known UK independent festivals, covering every conceivable genre of music and festival experience, providing a unique mix of cutting edge music, arts and other entertainments and delivering a boost to local economies. Most independent festivals are operating at the margins of profitability but add vastly to the wealth of the local, and music economies.Alison Wenham, Chairman, AIF says: “The independent festival sector was nascent at the time of the last tariff review – since then it has grown into a world-renowned industry. We are asking for an extension to the consultation process so that AIF members and indeed all festival promoters have a chance to openly discuss the proposed tariff changes in a spirit of cooperation commensurate with our common goal of preserving and stimulating growth throughout the UK live music sector, and preserving the balance between entrepreneurial risk and fair reward.”- Ends -Notes for Editors:About AIFThe Association of Independent Festivals is a not for profit body set up in 2008 to represent independent music festivals in the UK and Ireland.Conceived by Bestival promoter Rob da Bank and Graphite’s Ben Turner, the association’s founder members included Bestival, Cornbury Festival, Creamfields, Evolution Festival, Field Day/Underage, Secret Garden Party, Summer Sundae Weekender and WOMAD.With 25 members ranging from Northern Ireland’s 1,000 capacity Glasgowbury to the 40,000 capacity Creamfields in Liverpool, AIF enables the promoters of some of the UK & Ireland’s most innovative and successful festivals to speak with one voice when addressing the wider music business and government.AIF aims to establish best practice for festivals in a variety of areas such as security, the environment and beyond, providing a knowledge base for festival promoters, as well as creating collective purchasing and marketing opportunities for its members.AIF operates as an autonomous division of the Association of Independent Music.www.aiforg.com