Mr Adrian Gaffney (left) chief executive, IMRO, Mr Shay Hennessy, cathaoirleach, IMRO, and Ms Eleanor McEvoy, director, IMRO, after a press briefing on last year's revenue-raising activities. Photograph Jason Clarke
The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) collected a total licence revenue of £17.4 million last year - an 11 per cent increase over 1998, it was revealed at the company's annual general meeting yesterday.
Revenues paid to songwriters and composers increased by 7.5 per cent to £13.8 million.
The gross licence revenue was enhanced by a 12.5 per cent increase in public performance revenue to over £7 million. The 30 per cent increase in overseas revenue to £1.7 million was also described "as very encouraging" by IMRO chief executive Mr Adrian Gaffney.
IMRO chairman, Mr Shay Hennessy, said that IMRO's recent partnership with BSkyB Television and Eurosport, whereby it acts in a sales capacity for the commercial use of satellite services, has also proved successful.
He also welcomed the publication of the Copyright and Related Rights Bill - "one of the most important developments for songwriters" during the year.
IMRO also said it was encouraged that the World Trade Organisation upheld its complaint regarding exemptions in US copyright legislation. IMRO complained that, as a result of the exemptions, Irish songwriters and composers were being denied the payment of royalties when their music was being performed in US bars, restaurants and stores. The US government has been asked to remove the exemptions.
