Our Milestones
BIEM Creation
BIEM was created by publisher associations in Italy, Germany and France, to enable the worldwide administration of mechanical rights and allow access to entire repertoires. BIEM exercised the licensing function on behalf of its European members.
First standard contract
The standard contract is the mechanical rights charter that provides the industry with an option for exploiting BIEM repertoire at a uniform royalty.
IFPI is created
IFPI will become BIEM's negotiating partner after the 2nd world war.
First BIEM/IFPI Standard Contract
It introduces some strong principles on which the SC still relies.
Launch of Vinyl LP & Single
Launch of the Audio Cassette
It will become the Europe's most popular format for recorded music by 1985.
BIEM major reform
Licensing functions are reverted to the individual societies. The reform opens BIEM to societies worldwide, leading to a boom in memberships.
Introduction of the current Standard Contract
The Standard Contract enacts an 8% base rate on the RRP and 11% on the PPD.
Launch of the CD
Central Licensing agreement
The first agreement is signed between Sony-CBS and STEMRA. Shortly thereafter, additional CL contracts with Universal (previously Polygram), WMG (previously WEA) and BMG enter into force. They will profoundly change the relationship between societies.
CDs become the top selling carrier
Launch of Napster
Beginning of the Internet era with peer-to-peer exchange of MP3 files.
BIEM/IFPI Standard Contract comes to an end on 30 June
However, its terms and conditions remained at the disposal of the Industry.
Peak year for Mechanical Rights
BIEM members report 2.4 M EUR.
Online mechanicals reported for the first time
They take 3.2% share of the total MR collections.
Vinyl revival
Sales rose from 3.1 million units in 2006, to 42.3 million units in 2017.
First Mechanical Rights Days
In Europe & Asia.
1975 BIEM/IFPI Standard Contract is back in force
Signature of the amendment No.8.
Streaming surpasses downloads
The share of streaming in total MR collections reached 14.7%, surpassing that of downloading at 6.5%.
BIEM & CISAC converged
This enhanced cooperation allows BIEM to become a nimbler organisation, increasing its operational efficiencies.
Digital Mechanicals take more than 50% of total MR collections
Streaming represents 25%.
AI Generative breakthrough
with ChatGPT made freely available to the public by OpenAI