PRS 因涉嫌“黑匣子”版税违规而被提起诉讼

最近的反垄断新闻包括工党候选人和 Blur Drummer 对 PRS 提起的涉嫌“黑匣子”版税违规的诉讼、南非反垄断机构对微软云计算许可做法发起的调查、联邦贸易委员会向辉瑞公司发出警告信、赛默飞世尔等公司、俄罗斯反垄断机构就银行和支付准入向苹果公司施加压力，以及英国开始对沃达丰与和记黄埔合并进行深入调查。

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

PRS 因涉嫌“黑匣子”版税违规而提起诉讼

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.

英国伦敦 - Blur 鼓手兼工党候选人戴夫·朗特里 (Dave Rowntree) 与其他音乐家联手对表演权协会 (PRS) 提起诉讼，指控其作为“黑匣子”运作违反竞争法。该法律诉讼向伦敦竞争上诉法庭 (CAT) 提起，指控 PRS 不公平地分配特许权使用费，并且未能向其会员提供透明度。

Allegations of Anti-Competitive Practices

反竞争行为指控

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.

该诉讼称，PRS 作为一个“黑匣子”运作，在特许权使用费的计算和分配方式上缺乏透明度。索赔人声称，这种缺乏透明度导致了音乐家受到不公平待遇以及音乐行业竞争的扭曲。

Distribution of Royalties

特许权使用费的分配

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 和其他音乐家声称 PRS 在版权费分配方面偏向于主要唱片公司和出版商。他们声称，现行制度以牺牲独立音乐家的利益为代价，让大版权持有者受益匪浅，而独立音乐家往往从自己的作品中获得较小份额的版税。

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，诉讼称 PRS 未能向其会员提供有关特许权使用费计算和分配方式的足够透明度。索赔人辩称，音乐家有权了解他们的版税如何分配以及决定其付款的因素。

Impact on Competition

对竞争的影响

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.

该诉讼称，PRS 涉嫌的反竞争行为扭曲了音乐行业的竞争。据称，PRS 不公平地分配版税，为新音乐人的进入设置了障碍，并扼杀了创新。索赔人认为，缺乏透明度损害了消费者的选择，并使音乐家无法为其工作获得公平的报酬。

Demand for Reform

改革诉求

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 和其他音乐家呼吁对 PRS 进行改革，以解决所谓的反竞争行为。他们要求提高版税分配的透明度、更公平的分配制度以及改善治理，以确保音乐家的利益得到充分代表。

Significance of the Lawsuit

该诉讼的意义

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.

该诉讼是音乐行业的重大发展，并对集体管理组织在管理权利和保护创作者利益方面的作用提出了质疑。法律诉讼的结果可能会对音乐行业如何分配版税和确保透明度产生影响。

Ongoing Investigation by UK Competition and Markets Authority

英国竞争与市场管理局正在进行的调查

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，英国竞争与市场管理局（CMA）目前也因竞争问题而对 PRS 进行调查。 CMA 对 PRS 的特许权使用费分配系统缺乏透明度以及反竞争行为的可能性表示担忧。 CMA 的调查结果可能会进一步塑造英国集体管理组织的监管格局。