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EMO's prime objectives are:
- The adaptation
of the existing European legal, fiscal and social framework
to render it more favourable to the development of artistic
creation, artistic life and the activities of music companies.
Legal requirements would include intellectual property legislation,
anti-piracy regulations, reduced VAT on recordings, etc..
- The adaptation
of the existing European cultural programme to the needs of
traditionally recognised cultural activities, such as classical
music, opera, contemporary creation and amateur music.
- The implementation
of a Music Industry Programme, which would support the initiatives
of cultural entrepreneurs on the European market.
It is important
to consider these actions and a possible Music Industry Programme
not only as a means of support for the music industry, but also
as the first step towards a new EU policy, including all cultural
industries in the Member States. Indeed, most of the problems
encountered by the music industry are also being faced by other
cultural industries such as book and film. These three sectors
represent a significant part of the European economy and of the
European labour market.
The first
priority has been acknowledged by the European institutions
for some time now. However some questions which continue to be
a matter for each EU Member State have not yet been tackled. These
include
- the harmonisation
of fiscal and social policies for artists and enterprises within
the cultural sector, and
- the VAT
rate on cultural products (records and musical instruments).
The second
priority can potentially be achieved within the context of
the "Culture 2000" programme (Direction General Education
and Culture, European Commission) and of the next “Culture 2007” programme, to be started on 01/01/2007.
It aims at developing, at the European level, the activities of
specialised networks active in the cultural sector in its traditional
sense - in other words classical music, opera and amateur music.
The Culture 2000 Programme is specifically concerned with the
following:-
- artistic
creation,
- the circulation of repertoires, artists and ensembles,
- education.
The third
priority has not yet been realised. This is why the European
Commission, in co-operation with music professionals, is currently
examining the possibility of supporting "Music industry" programme projects.
EMO is therefore
in the process of drafting a concrete proposal for a Music Industry
programme, which will outline the fields of EU intervention .
These would focus on, among other things,
- the financing
of companies,
- the promotion of European music repertoire, production and artists,
- information and further training,
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