Representing the rights and interests of featured artists in the music industry

“Where words fail, music speaks”

– Hans Christensen Anderson

IAO is the umbrella association for national organisations representing the rights and interests of featured artists in the music industry.

Our principal interests are transparency, the protection of intellectual property and a fair reflection of the value an artist’s work generates.

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No consent, no deal

Jun 23, 2026

Artists and songwriters must not be pressured into AI deals without meaningful consent. Read the statement signed by 31 worldwide organisations.

Music sector welcomes European Parliament’s AgoraEU draft report

Jun 2, 2026

Europe’s Cultural Sector to EU: Defend Human Creativity Now — Stop Unchecked AI from Undermining Rights, Jobs, and Democracy

Mar 3, 2026

A coalition of major European organisations representing hundreds of thousands of authors, performers, journalists, composers, translators, screen directors, visual artists, and other cultural workers has sent a joint letter (2 March 2026) to the European Parliament’s...

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IAO Music

3 weeks ago

Music sector welcomes European Parliament’s AgoraEU draft reportA coalition of 26 European music-sector organisations has welcomed a draft report from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Emma Rafowicz and Alice Bah Kuhnke that proposes creating a dedicated Music strand within the EU's new AgoraEU programme.Key points from the statementThe music sector strongly supports the proposal because it formally recognises music's cultural, social, and economic importance and its unique challenges.The draft report highlights major issues facing the sector, including:Sustainability and competitiveness of European music.The creation of a European Music Observatory to improve data and policymaking.Challenges posed by market concentration, digital platforms, and AI.Fair pay, better working conditions, and stronger social protection for artists and cultural workers.Improving discoverability, diversity, inclusion, access to finance, and cross-border circulation of music.FundingThe report proposes reserving 15% of the budget allocated to the Culture, Music, and MEDIA strands of AgoraEU for music.The organisations welcome this proposal but argue that it should be considered a minimum level of support, not a cap on future investment.Why a dedicated music programme is neededThe signatories argue that although music is one of Europe's most visible and widely consumed cultural sectors, it relies heavily on independent artists and small organisations that face significant challenges, including:Market concentration.Lack of transparency in streaming platforms.Difficulties operating across borders.Fragmented markets.AI-related disruption.Administrative burdens.Unequal access to data and funding.They also stress that music contributes to social cohesion, education, cultural diversity, and democratic participation across Europe.Additional recommendationsPolicymakers should maintain ongoing dialogue with the music sector when designing and implementing programmes.The proposed European Music Observatory should provide data that directly informs funding decisions and policy development.The organisations support using fines collected from breaches of EU digital laws as an additional funding source for AgoraEU, particularly because musicians and creators are heavily affected by platform dominance and AI-driven changes.ConclusionThe music sector views the draft report as a major step forward. It is urging EU institutions to ensure that the new music strand receives sufficient funding, meaningful consultation with the sector, and practical tools that can provide long-term support for European music and help it thrive internationally. ... See MoreSee Less

Music sector welcomes European Parliament’s AgoraEU draft report - IAO Music

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IAO is the umbrella association for national organisations representing the rights and interests of featured artists in the music industry.

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The IAO provides an international voice to protect and promote the rights and interests of professional music artists, also known as 'Featured Artists'

IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

23 Jun 2025

Joint Letter to JURI Committee (19 June 2025):
Creator and performer groups urge action on generative AI, demanding consent, fair pay, clear TDM rules, transparency, and protection of rights, data, and moral integrity.

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

19 Jun 2025

IAO warns: major labels’ AI deals risk market distortion.
Key issues:
– Conflicts of interest
– Distorted competition
– Unlicensed use of performances
– No transparency or consent
Artists must have a say.

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

10 Jun 2025

IAO celebra que @EU_Commission investigue la compra de Downtown por UMG. Pedimos a @Teresaribera que actúe para proteger la competencia y la diversidad musical.
– Nacho García Vega, Presidente de IAO

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

10 Jun 2025

IAO welcomes @EU_Commission's probe into UMG's planned takeover of Downtown. This move risks market concentration and harms indie labels & artists. We urge @Teresaribera to act firmly to protect fair competition and diversity in the music sector.
–Nacho García Vega, IAO President

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