Centre for Cultural Policy Research

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published two new research reports examining:  Music Creators’ Earnings in the Digital Era and Buyout Contracts in the UK Audio-visual Commissioning Sector. Dr Kenny Barr contributed to the research led by Dr Hyojung Sun (Ulster University), Professor David Hesmondhalgh (University of Leeds) and Dr Richard Osborne (Middlesex University). Many of the themes addressed in the IPO reports have close relevance to recent DCMS inquiries into the ‘Economics of Music Streaming’ and ‘The Future of Public Service Broadcasting’. As such, this new research makes a timely contribution to debates stemming from the proliferation of streaming as the preeminent means of experiencing audio and visual content. The central aim of this research project was to provide evidence that contributes to a more informed discussion around matters of music creators’ earnings in the streaming era.

First published: 24 September 2021