Jean Michel Jarre CISAC

Jean Michel Jarre asks UN to support creators

CISAC president and electronic producer Jean Michel Jarre has called on the United Nations (UN) to pledge support for the rights of creators around the world.

Anita Awbi
  • By Anita Awbi
  • 27 Apr 2015
  • min read
In a statement to mark World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April, he called on all UN member states to support the creator's right to be fairly compensated for the use of their work.

‘Sustainable creative eco-systems depend on the recognition that creative works bring value to so many businesses that would not exist without them,’ he said.

‘In return, what we, creators, are asking is simple: to be fairly compensated for the use of our works and to be protected for our rights. We are calling upon all the countries represented at the United Nations to endorse our pledge, and work with creators all around the world to ensure a better future for authors.’

Jarre issued the statement on behalf of the four million creators represented by CISAC members, reiterating the key tenets of the human rights act to support his stand.

‘The article 27(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly in 1948, states that, “Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author”.

‘These words are as valid now as they were 70 years ago. Culture is what brings people together and is the expression of the cultural diversity that is so cherished by the United Nations and UNESCO. Access to culture is paramount to the elevation of mankind. It goes hand in hand with freedom of speech and freedom to create.

‘Equally important in our eyes are the rights of creators. Without these moral and economic rights, creators would be deprived of ways to sustain a living and continue to create freely, and would also lose control over the use of their works.

‘But for this to happen, creators need to be granted fair remuneration for the use of their creative works. In the music sector, we have launched the Fair Trade Music project to address this issue. In the visual arts sector, we are asking for an international Treaty on the artist’s resale right under the aegis of WIPO.’

CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, is the world’s leading network of collecting societies with 230 member organisations in 120 countries. It represents creators from all geographic areas and all artistic repertoires - music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts.

Last month, CISAC director general Gadi Oron spoke to M about the ongoing digital royalty debate.