BBC Forced To Ban Songs By Neil Young, Journey, The Doors And Bonnie Raitt Due To Copyright Infringement

Neil Young, Journey, The Doors, and Bonnie Raitt have withdrawn from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) and do not wish to accept MCPS’ licensing agreements any longer.

Because of this, the BBC have informed staff and producers that the artists will not be able to pay them for broadcasting their songs until they make agreements with their publishers. They have made an announcement stating that they will now stop using or playing any of the artists’ music. Not only will the broadcasting of songs by these artists cease to continue, but covers of their songs by other artists and sample tracks are being banned as well. Although this is the case as of now, it will not be forever. Wixen Music, the rights representative of Neil Young, Journey, The Doors, and Bonnie Raitt, responded to the news with statement, “The BBC can use Neil Young and The Doors any time they negotiate a license with us to do so in a given programme. All we are saying is that we won’t pre-approve uses or fees if the clients have not had an opportunity to review and approve the uses and fees.” According to Wixen Music, it is being done as a respect for the artists and songwriters hoping to ascertain the way in which their work is being used and at what fees. The BBC feels that “single blanket collective licensing remains the most efficient and cost effective way to license its music.”