‘Bullying tactics will not work’: IMPF condemns Meta’s exclusion of Italian songwriters and publishers

Brussels, 17th March 2023

The following is a statement from IMPF in response to Meta’s decision to exclude The Italian Society of Authors and Publishers (SIAE) repertoire from its platforms:

IMPF condemns in the strongest possible terms Meta’s decision to exclude The Italian Society of Authors and Publishers’ (SIAE) repertoire from its platforms. The move is nothing short of a bullying tactic used to force SIAE to accept a one-sided proposal that disregards any reasonable, shared evaluation of the value of music.

Furthermore, Meta’s refusal to share relevant information to establish a fair agreement is in direct contrast with the principles established by the Copyright Directive, which has been strongly advocated for by authors and publishers across Europe.

Meta has now been without a license for SIAE repertoire since January 1 2023, despite SIAE having remained open to signing an agreement in good faith. Instead, Meta has decided to use its position as a corporate mega power to hold artists at gunpoint and undervalue their hard work and creativity. This coercive, dishonest behaviour is not acceptable and sends a very worrying signal to the rest of the music business and the wider creative industries. Fair and honest negotiation is the only way forward. Meta needs to retract.