By DON MELVIN
BRUSSELS (AP) — A group representing composers and songwriters is alleging that some of Europe’s most prominent broadcasters are coercing them into giving up the copyrights to their work, sharply diminishing their earnings.
The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance, representing 12,000 composers and songwriters, filed a complaint with the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, targeting more than 15 broadcasters and studios, including the BBC, British Sky Broadcasting and ITV.
The complaint targets companies in the Netherlands, France, Italy, the U.K., Denmark and Austria.
At a news conference Wednesday in Brussels, representatives of the alliance said composers are often told they won’t be considered for a commission unless they’re willing to give up the copyright to whatever music they ultimately create.
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