PRS 因涉嫌「黑盒子」版稅違規而被提起訴訟

最近的反壟斷新聞包括工黨候選人和 Blur Drummer 對 PRS 提起的涉嫌「黑盒子」版稅違規的訴訟、南非反壟斷機構對微軟雲端運算許可做法發起的調查、聯邦貿易委員會向輝瑞公司發出警告信、賽默飛世爾等公司、俄羅斯反壟斷機構就銀行和支付准入向蘋果公司施加壓力，以及英國開始對沃達豐與和記黃埔合併進行深入調查。

Lawsuit Filed Against PRS Over Alleged 'Black Box' Royalties Violation

PRS 因涉嫌「黑盒子」版稅違規而提起訴訟

London, UK - Blur drummer and Labour candidate Dave Rowntree has joined forces with other musicians to file a lawsuit against the Performing Rights Society (PRS) for allegedly violating competition law by operating as a "black box." The legal action, which was filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in London, accuses PRS of unfairly distributing royalties and failing to provide transparency to its members.

英國倫敦 - Blur 鼓手兼工黨候選人戴夫·朗特里 (Dave Rowntree) 與其他音樂家聯手對錶演權協會 (PRS) 提起訴訟，指控其作為“黑匣子”運作違反競爭法。該法律訴訟向倫敦競爭上訴法庭 (CAT) 提起，指控 PRS 不公平地分配特許權使用費，並且未能向其會員提供透明度。

Allegations of Anti-Competitive Practices

反競爭行為指控

The lawsuit alleges that PRS operates as a "black box," with a lack of transparency in how royalties are calculated and distributed. The claimants assert that this lack of transparency has led to unfair treatment of musicians and a distortion of competition in the music industry.

該訴訟稱，PRS 作為一個「黑盒子」運作，在特許權使用費的計算和分配方式上缺乏透明度。索賠人聲稱，這種缺乏透明度導致了音樂家受到不公平待遇以及音樂產業競爭的扭曲。

Distribution of Royalties

特許權使用費的分配

Rowntree and the other musicians claim that PRS has favored major record labels and publishers in the distribution of royalties. They allege that the current system disproportionately benefits large rightsholders at the expense of independent musicians, who often receive a smaller share of royalties for their work.

Rowntree 和其他音樂家聲稱 PRS 在版權費分配方面偏向主要唱片公司和出版商。他們聲稱，現行製度以犧牲獨立音樂家的利益為代價，讓大版權持有者受益匪淺，而獨立音樂家往往從自己的作品中獲得較小份額的版稅。

Lack of Transparency

缺乏透明度

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that PRS has failed to provide adequate transparency to its members regarding how royalties are calculated and allocated. The claimants argue that musicians have a right to know how their royalties are being distributed and the factors that determine their payments.

此外，訴訟稱 PRS 未能向其會員提供有關特許權使用費計算和分配方式的足夠透明度。索賠人辯稱，音樂家有權了解他們的版稅如何分配以及決定其付款的因素。

Impact on Competition

對競爭的影響

The lawsuit contends that the alleged anti-competitive practices of PRS have distorted competition in the music industry. By unfairly distributing royalties, PRS is allegedly creating barriers to entry for new musicians and stifling innovation. The claimants argue that the lack of transparency undermines consumer choice and prevents musicians from being fairly compensated for their work.

該訴訟稱，PRS 涉嫌的反競爭行為扭曲了音樂產業的競爭。據稱，PRS 不公平地分配版稅，為新音樂人的進入設置了障礙，並扼殺了創新。索賠人認為，缺乏透明度損害了消費者的選擇，並使音樂家無法為其工作獲得公平的報酬。

Demand for Reform

改革訴求

Rowntree and the other musicians are calling for reforms to PRS to address the alleged anti-competitive practices. They demand greater transparency in the distribution of royalties, a fairer allocation system, and improved governance to ensure that the interests of musicians are adequately represented.

Rowntree 和其他音樂家呼籲對 PRS 進行改革，以解決所謂的反競爭行為。他們要求提高版稅分配的透明度、更公平的分配製度以及改善治理，以確保音樂家的利益得到充分代表。

Significance of the Lawsuit

該訴訟的意義

The lawsuit is a significant development in the music industry and raises questions about the role of collective management organizations in managing rights and protecting the interests of creators. The outcome of the legal action could have implications for how royalties are distributed and transparency is ensured in the music industry.

該訴訟是音樂產業的重大發展，並對集體管理組織在管理權利和保護創作者利益方面的作用提出了質疑。法律訴訟的結果可能會對音樂產業如何分配版稅和確保透明度產生影響。

Ongoing Investigation by UK Competition and Markets Authority

英國競爭與市場管理局正在進行的調查

It is worth noting that the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is also currently investigating PRS over competition concerns. The CMA has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in PRS's royalty distribution system and the potential for anti-competitive practices. The outcome of the CMA's investigation could further shape the regulatory landscape for collective management organizations in the UK.

值得注意的是，英國競爭與市場管理局（CMA）目前也因競爭問題而對 PRS 進行調查。 CMA 對 PRS 的特許權使用費分配系統缺乏透明度以及反競爭行為的可能性表示擔憂。 CMA 的調查結果可能會進一步塑造英國集體管理組織的監管格局。