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.
Latest news
Europe’s Cultural Sector to EU: Defend Human Creativity Now — Stop Unchecked AI from Undermining Rights, Jobs, and Democracy
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...
IAO raise major concerns regarding UMG being allowed to strengthen its dominance in the music industry
The International Artists Organisation (IAO), representing featured artists across Europe and internationally, acknowledges the European Commission’s decision in the UMG/Downtown case. We recognise the significance of the Commission’s detailed Phase II investigation...
European music organisations call on the EU to prioritise investment in music within AgoraEU 2028–2034
European music organisations call on the EU to prioritise investment in music within AgoraEU 2028–2034, recognising its major cultural, social and economic value. Dedicated, well-funded sectoral support is essential to safeguard artistic freedom, diversity and fair...
Facebook Posts
Protect EU media and creatives from generative AI, says European Parliament
www.brusselstimes.com
A huge majority in the European Parliament has called on the EU to ensure that companies using copyrighted work for generative AI will have to pay for it.
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.
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.
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
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
Current campaigns
GECAT Pass
Getting ALL European artists back on the road Proposal for a cultural area permit scheme across multiple geographical groupings, July 2021 The European Union and its nearest neighbours across multiple geographical groupings share many aspects of aligned cultural and...
Music First
A campaign in the USA to demand fair market pay for all music on ALL radio platforms
Make Music Work
Music needs a fair and transparent marketplace for performers whether to protect cultural assets or encourage new growth
