Beatles legend’s plea to MEPs over ‘fair and sustainable’ internet

SIR PAUL McCartney has urged MEPs to support proposed changes to EU copyright law, which he believes will force online upload platforms to pay songwriters and performers fairly for their work.

The former Beatles musician, 76, has written an open letter to MEPs ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament today.

Sir Paul wrote: “Music and culture matter. They are a heart and soul. But they don’t just happen; they demand the hard work of so many people. Importantly, music also creates jobs and economic growth and digital innovation across Europe.

“Unfortunately the value gap jeopardises the music ecosystem. We need an internet that is fair and sustainable for all.

“But today some user upload content platforms refuse to compensate artists and all music creators fairly for their work, while they exploit it for their own profit. The value gap is that gulf between the value these platforms derive from music and the value they pay creators.”

He added that the proposed legislative changes would assure a sustainable future for the music industry. He finished the letter by telling MEPs: “You hold in your hands the future of music here in Europe.”

The singer has joined more than 1,300 artists in calling for politicians to vote for change.

One of the potential law changes centres around a piece of draft legislation known as Article 13.

It suggests websites can continue to house music videos but must ensure that copyrighted works are not available where a licence has not been agreed for its use.