Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring music streaming platforms to obtain a broadcasting licence to help ensure that artists are fairly remunerated for their work.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
In February 2024, the Intellectual Property Office published independent research examining the potential economic impact of equitable remuneration on performers and the music market in the UK. The research found that applying the ‘broadcast model’ of equitable remuneration to music streaming would likely be disruptive for the music industry with a high likelihood of damaging unintended consequences, which could impact some creators. This Government does not intend to make a further assessment of the merits of the ‘broadcast model’.
This Government recognises the importance of ensuring that music creators are fairly compensated for their work. We are engaging with stakeholders from across the music industry, including streaming platforms, music creators and record labels, through a creator remuneration working group. The working group aims to drive industry-led action on music streaming remuneration and will meet for the fifth time in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) protecting consumers from planned obsolescence in (i) video games and (ii) other digital software and (b) requiring publishers to make game content available for offline use upon server shutdown.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is aware of issues relating to the life-span of digital content, including video games, and we appreciate the concerns of players of some games that have been discontinued. We have no plans to amend existing consumer law on digital obsolescence, but we will monitor this issue and consider the relevant work of the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) on consumer rights and consumer detriment.
Video games sellers must comply with existing consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). However, there is no requirement in UK law for software companies to support older versions of their products. Decision-making is for those companies, taking account of commercial and regulatory factors and complying with existing consumer law.
There may be occasions where companies make decisions based on the high running costs of maintaining older servers for games with declining user bases. If software is offered for sale that is not supported by the provider, then this should be made clear, for example on product webpages and physical packaging.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on introducing a TV License for people who only use streaming services.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and firmly believes that the unique obligations placed on the BBC demand continued, sustainable public funding to support its vital work.
There are a range of alternatives and we are thinking creatively about options for the future, to ensure we future-proof our national broadcaster for many years to come. The Government will be taking forward the question of how the BBC is funded as part of the Charter Review process.