09/07/2007 WIN Evolving Rapidly and Strengthening Its Structure

The Worldwide Independent Network's organic growth in the past 12 months has been impressive, encouraging and demonstrably very useful to its increasing membership. Initial focus has been on networking, information-sharing and, of course, the unprecedented move to set up Merlin as a commercial negotiating and agency arm to access indies' digital revenue streams.

Another evolutionary step was taken at the WIN Board meeting during the recent London Calling music trade show, when membership rules and eligibility were agreed by a gathering of 25 representatives of indie trade associations and labels from 17 countries - including a first attendance from India - and observers from IFPI and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

Another welcomed development is the setting up of a WIN website, organised by AIM under the WIN Presidency of Alison Wenham.

The Board also endorsed the proposals for the constitution and initial membership rules of the Merlin Board, giving a green light for the incorporation of the agency.

Illustrating the way that WIN intends to apply its collective strength, Board members agreed on an urgent worldwide fact-finding exercise connected with the IFPI-initiated litigation against Kazaa for unlicensed distribution of digital music files (settlement payments were made to major record companies but not to independents).

Similarly it was agreed that WIN would write a strong letter to the South African Broadcasting Corporation, backing the efforts by recently-formed SA independent labels' organisation AIRCO to ensure open and fair collection and distribution of revenue from the nation's new performing right legislation; this covers the broadcast of copyright recorded music (sound and video). The WIN letter will be copied to the RiSA (Recording Industry of South Africa) and will be brought to the attention of IFPI as a moral issue which the global record industry organisation should note.




Close This Window