Ireland Aligns with EU Law, Extends National Treatment to U.S. Performers
Event summary
- Ireland passed a law on March 17, 2026, extending national treatment to American sound recording performers.
- The law aligns Ireland with EU law following the 2020 CJEU RAAP decision.
- Nearly 78% of the EU now provides national treatment to American artists and producers.
- Six EU member states—Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia—have yet to implement the requirement.
The big picture
Ireland's adoption of national treatment for American performers aligns with the EU's push for nondiscriminatory international music economies. This move underscores the growing emphasis on fair compensation and the rule of law in copyright governance, potentially influencing other regions to standardize royalty distribution practices.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Compliance
- Whether the remaining six EU member states will promptly adopt national treatment to avoid legal obligations.
- Market Stability
- How the uniform application of EU law will impact the global rights system and benefit music creators.
- Industry Leadership
- The pace at which other countries follow Ireland's lead in ensuring fair compensation for international performers.