The dispute between BBC and Eos is probably the biggest royalty dispute this year in the UK.Eos, is a collective group of songwriters and publishers of Welsh music. The BBC popularly broadcasts Welsh Music in two of their radio channels. PRS for Music (henceforth known simply as PRS), is a UK copyright collecting society and performance rights organisation. In layman’s terms, the PRS collects money from the broadcasters, and distribute it as royalty fees to songwriters and publishers.
In 2007, the PRS changed the way they collected music from the BBC. This, according to the EOS, had a huge impact on their bottom line. After unsuccessful negotiations with the PRS, the Welsh music community withdrew from the PRS completely and subsequently created the EOS.
The EOS then entered into negotiations with the BBC on the rate of royalty fees their members should receive. As expected neither party could reach an agreement. The BBC insisted on paying around £100,000 annually for the right to play the music, while EOS insists that the BBC pay around £1.5 million.
The case is expected to be heard in a copyright tribunal in a couple of days, however in the interim the tribunal has ruled that the BBC continue to pay £120,000 a year to access their music.
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21345481
