British Labour MEP from London, Mary Honeyball, hosted a dinner in the Members’ Salon of the European Parliament Wednesday, 28 March 2012. This evening was an opportunity for key EU officials and parliamentarians, as well as EU member states’ representatives, to get a better understanding of the music sector and to exchange views on the experiences and challenges faced by of some of Europe’s most innovative entrepreneurs, and independent music companies.

Late Friday, the European Commission confirmed its decision to launch a detailed investigation into the acquisition of EMI recordings by Universal. This was expected, but the Commission’s statement sets out its reasons for taking this decision – information previously not available.

As press reports circulate of findings of “serious doubts” during Europe’s initial market investigation into Universal’s proposed acquisition of its thriving competitor EMI, IMPALA welcomed the prospect of a detailed second stage investigation. This is expected to commence when the phase one deadline expires on 23rd March. It is understood that customers and other actors raised the red flag, as well as competitors such as independent music companies.

For the first time ever, the success of independent music is being monitored with dedicated pan-European charts. Produced by Nielsen Music for IMPALA, these unique charts are based on digital downloads and radio airplay across Europe.

Global independent music rights agency Merlin agrees groundbreaking Settlement With LimeWire
First time independents have participated in settlement of copyright infringement claims against a global peer-to-peer service

Adele’s second full-length album, “21”, has won the second IMPALA European Independent Album of the Year Award from a shortlist of 23 albums from across Europe, covering genres such as synth-pop (Rubik), dubstep (ModeSelektor and SBTRKT), electro (Little Dragon and M83), metal (Arrayan Path), punk rock (Hladno Pivo, Iceage, The Glockenwise) and post-rock (Sigur Ros)…

As Sony finally notifies its deal to acquire EMI music publishing, IMPALA confirmed its opposition, warning that the deal would give Sony excessive power and should be blocked.

As Sony finally notifies its deal to acquire EMI music publishing, IMPALA confirmed its opposition, warning that the deal would give Sony excessive power and should be blocked.

With Universal finally notifying its EMI deal in Europe two months after filing in the USA and three months after the sale was announced, independent music companies welcome the start of the official regulatory process.

Following the successful launch last year of the European Independent Album of the Year Award, voting is now taking place on a 23-album shortlist to decide this year’s winner.

The winners of the 2011 IMPALA Outstanding Contribution Award are Martin Mills and the ‘Label Love’ initiative…

As reports circulate of regulatory filings in Europe weeks after the USA, independent music companies confirm their opposition to the proposed sale of EMI to Universal and Sony, the world’s biggest music companies. Protest is also spreading at national level, following initiatives led by independent associations such as AIM in the UK, while European body IMPALA fully expects regulators in both the USA and Europe to block the transactions outright.

A new European Music Office/Eurosonic-Noordeslag/Nielsen study demonstrates the lack of circulation of European music across borders.

A global collective manifesto for independent music entrepreneurs and organisations will be debated and agreed at Midem, at a meeting led by the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and the European indie music association Impala.

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Spotify Phone  Levelling the playing field for independent music companies and their artists across Europe MAGIC CHAIRS BY EFTERKLANG WINS FIRST

Following the launch of the European Independent Album of the Year Award by IMPALA, voting is now taking place on a 21-album shortlist. The winner of this new European mercury-style award will be announced on Monday 28th February.