Browse Topics
Tools
Editor's choice

Doing business in Belgium

A guide to doing gaffe-free business here.

Belgium country factbook

Includes geography, people, government, economy and transnational issues.

Student accommodation in Belgium

Find an affordable roof over her head.

50 years on, Asterix still holding out

Heroic Gauls celebrate their half century.

The not-so-secret recipe for Belgian frites

Kimberley uncovers the sacred rituals of Frite Almighty.

How to repatriate successfully

Tips for managing a successful relocation back home.

Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home Finance & Business Pensions & Insurance Longer copyrights boost rock and roll pensions

19/05/2009Longer copyrights boost rock and roll pensions

Rock and rollers from the 1960s would have rather died than grow old. But that didn't always happen. A controversial extension of copyrights by the European Parliament will enable rock veterans to pick the fruits of their music well into their old age.

'Livin' Doll' and 'The Twist' are just a couple of the great hits from the Sixties that will be affected. The authors are protected by copyright for decades after their deaths. But that does not apply to the people who played the music. People like Buddy Savitt, who plays the saxophone in 'The Twist'. Or Cliff Richard, who sang 'Livin' Doll' but did not write it.

Only source of income

They do receive royalties if their songs are played on the radio. But the royalties stop after 50 years. Which for many is going to happen very soon.

Peter Koelewiijn"Back then you never thought about it," says Dutch rock veteran Peter Koelewijn, whose 'Kom van het dak af' was covered in Swedish by Egon Kjerrman.

"I remember getting my very first contract with Phonogram. The manager told me: Peter, you should sign up with us, otherwise you will miss out on a pension! But when you are 25, 26, that's the last thing on your mind. Now things are different. I've been drawing a state pension for the last three years."

Photo: Peter Koelewijn in 1963, photographer unknown, via Holland Rocks

Campaign

In 1965, Who lead singer Roger Daltrey sang the words "I hope I die before I get old" in 'My Generation'. This year he will reach pension age.

Together with Cliff Richard, Daltrey has been campaigning recently to extend the copyright on music recordings.

The British government didn't listen, but European Commissioner for Internal Markets Charlie McCreevy did. Last year he suggested almost doubling the length of time copyright applies from 50 to 95 years.                           

0 reactions to this article

participate in the forums
ask your question
find the business you need
Discussion Forums

Housing

Typical rent in Leuven center, by Caday

Gay & Lesbian

Looking for other Lesbian or Bisexual Expats, by chalks

Learning the Language

Someone to practice French?, by deashelle

Discuss Belgian Culture

Food in belgium, by joanne2009

Hobbies

Expat Grocery Store, by Demona

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Looking for work in Belgium

Looking for work in Belgium

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, Belgian management culture.

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Belgium’s first alternative directory assistance services - available through the shortcode 14-14 - can now be accessed on the internet.

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Moving to Belgium presents a host of challenges to expats, not least of all finding the right home.

Learning to cope with life abroad

Learning to cope with life abroad

The psychological effects of global mobility can be physically painful.