The global music industry is going through unprecedented upheaval, with many music creators experiencing great uncertainty over how to maneuver a digital market place where their work is disseminated in a myriad of ways – and paid for with fractions of pennies. In response to the global rights problem, Swedish songwriters Björn Ulvaeus, Max Martin and Niclas Molinder launch Music Rights Awareness Foundation – in order to help the world’s music creators get compensated fairly.
About Music Rights Awareness Foundation
Music Rights Awareness is an apolitical foundation that works to increase knowledge of music rights worldwide – founded by Björn Ulvaeus, Max Martin and Niclas Molinder. Through education and support, we help music creators to take control of their rights and be able to live on their music – regardless of economical, geographical and cultural conditions. Our vision is for all music creators to be compensated fairly for the music they share with the world.
The music industry’s digital development has created a new need for knowledge regarding rights, and a demand for music creators to be able to manage the rights to their music. The Swedish trio created Music Rights Awareness Foundation in order to meet this need, with the vision that all musicians should be compensated fairly for the music they share with the world.
“Information and education is obviously always key and I am hoping Music Rights Awareness, together with others, will help the creative community help themselves in the challenges ahead,” says Max Martin.
Music Rights Awareness is an apolitical foundation that works to increase the knowledge of music rights worldwide. The foundation will, through education and support, work to help music creators take control of their rights and be able to make a living from their music – regardless of economical, geographical or cultural conditions.
“In the new, digital world the songwriter is often the weaker part in a negotiation. Knowledge is power and that’s where Music Rights Awareness comes in,” says Björn Ulvaeus.
The three founders are also involved in Auddly, a digital platform that helps music makers keep track of their song projects, collaborate and register their rights.
“While working together, we realized that there is an ignorance when it comes to rights among both songwriters and the industry. We are convinced that many of the legal disputes that are now underway could have been averted, and with Music Rights Awareness we can help the world’s musicians at a broader level,” says Niclas Molinder.
Music Rights in Africa
The rights problem is even bigger in countries that are only now facing the music industry’s digital development without adequate support and knowledge. The foundation’s first project, Music Rights in Africa, focuses on educating musicians in Malawi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
