Apple, mobile firms agree on Britain music royalties

Apple and mobile operators have agreed on digital music royalty rates for song writers and music publishers in Britain to partly resolve a dispute. “Under terms of the deal, Apple and four mobile operators will pay 8 percent of gross revenue, excluding VAT, for all music sold digitally excluding ringtones,” reports Reuters. “A lower 6.5 percent rate was agreed for non-on-demand services such as streaming. The deal was announced in a joint statement by the trade group representing record labels, BPI, and MCPS-PRS Alliance, which fixes and collects royalties on behalf of the composers, song writers and music publishers.”