The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) is advising authors of its intention to operate an Extended Collective Licensing (ECL) Scheme in the UK. They have released a briefing note to explain how this effects any rightsholders both in the UK and overseas.
The key points are:
- CLA, on behalf of its members, is applying for an ECL authorisation to formalise its rights position under UK law.
- The application has been made in accordance with The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Extended Collective Licensing) Regulations, which were introduced in 2014.
- The UK Government will shortly commence a public consultation on CLA’s application. I will send the details for this once it has launched.
- Rightsholders have the right to opt out any or all of their works from CLA licences and this will continue should the ECL authorisation be granted.
- The ECL scheme, if granted, will apply to CLA’s licensing in the UK only.
- The majority of works copied under CLA’s licences are published in the UK, and therefore the use of foreign works is minimal.
Read the CLA Briefing Note on ECL.