AI: Make sure that your rights are reserved!
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Label members are strongly encouraged to reserve their rights by following our straightforward instructions below.
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All members should let us know once new declarations have been published, and if the labels who have declared would agree to their declarations being published on the repository of declarations set up by IFPI here, which we would also encourage you to do.
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This 26th of february, Merlin Opposes UK Government’s Proposed Copyright & AI Reforms, Calls for Stronger Protections for Independent Music
Reserving your rights – Straightforward instructions
The first basic step you should take is to declare on your company website that your rights are reserved.
You can simply copy/paste the draft text which IMPALA have prepared for you onto your label website (it can be on a dedicated page, with a simple link to it on the homepage).
This is a simple step you should take to increase the protection of your rights from unauthorised use for the purposes of AI training or machine learning.
BIMA part of WIN Board members Europe
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Geert De Blaere (BIMA president) renew is participation on the board members Europe of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), which held its first meeting of the year on January 23, 2025. As a global organization dedicated to supporting the independent music sector, WIN continues its commitment to enhancing the value of recorded music, fostering collaboration among its members, and advocating for fairer market conditions for independent labels and artists.
This year, WIN will focus on expanding its network into new territories and strengthening the presence of independent trade associations in key music markets. Key priorities include ensuring that more value is returned to independent creators, developing a fair and functional licensing framework for artificial intelligence, and promoting transparency and efficiency in rights management by streaming platforms and collecting societies.
BIMA is honored to contribute to WIN’s mission and collaborate with industry leaders to protect and empower the independent music sector on a global scale.
WIN Board Members for 2025
North America
- Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records, Canada)
- Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group, USA)
- Richard Burgess (A2IM, USA)
- Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop, USA)
- Zena White (Partisan Records, USA)
- Observer: Ian Harrison (Hopeless Records, USA)
Latin America
- Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile)
- Felippe Llerena (Nikita Music / ABMI, Brazil)
- Observer: Cecilia Crespo (ASIAr, Argentina)
Europe
- Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia)
- Gee Davy (AIM, UK)
- Geert De Blaere (N.E.W.S., Belgium)
- Jörg Heidemann (VUT, Germany)
- Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records, Spain)
- Observer: Helen Smith (IMPALA, Europe)
Asia
- Marty Ro (Sound Republica / LIAK, South Korea)
- Takuya Yamazaki (IMCJ, Japan)
- Observer: Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India)
Australasia
- Maria Amato (AIR, Australia)
- Observer: Dylan Pellett (IMNZ, New Zealand)
European Commission study on discoverability - EU survey
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With this study the European Commission puts cultural diversity in front and centre, to learn more on how people discover cultural content online and about the impact of algorithmic recommendations and of other technologies on exposure to cultural and linguistic richness.
The study aims to understand the availability and accessibility of cultural content online and how content prioritisation practices, algorithm recommendations, and curation strategies influence exposure to cultural and linguistic diversity.
In the Belgian music sector, discoverability on streaming platforms is crucial to ensuring a diverse and thriving industry. Belgian Independent Music Association (BIMA) actively advocates for better visibility of local and independent artists. Without fair access to recommendation algorithms and playlist placements, independent music struggles to reach audiences, limiting cultural diversity and market opportunities. BIMA regularly encourages policymakers and platforms to implement measures that promote Belgian artists, ensuring a balanced and competitive digital music ecosystem.
The following survey is one important step in this study. We strongly hope that, in light of the conclusions of this study, concrete solutions will be implemented to significantly improve the visibility and opportunities for independent artists.
The study began in the summer of 2024 and is expected to conclude in September 2025.
Appel à candidatures - Commission des Musiques // FWB
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LA FWB lance un appel aux professionnels, professionnelles ou experts, expertes du secteur musicale pour reconstituer ses organes consultatifs. Les candidatures sont ouvertes jusqu’au 6 mars 2025.
Par ailleurs, la BIMA siège à la Chambre des Concertations Musiques pour y faire entendre la voix de ses membres. Retrouver ici l’organigramme complet du Conseil Supérier de la Culture.
Dans le cadre du présent appel, l’Administration générale de la Culture recherche :
1° huit experts effectifs et huit suppléants en musique classique, en particulier
dans l’exercice d’une activité d’interprète, de programmateur, de critique
musical ou d’enseignant de la musique classique ;
2° huit experts effectifs et huit suppléants en musique contemporaine, en particulier
dans l’exercice d’une activité d’interprète, de programmateur, de compositeur, de
critique musical ou d’enseignant de musique contemporaine, dont au moins deux
experts pour chacune des activités suivantes :
a) musique purement instrumentale et vocale ;
b) musique mixte ;
c) musique électroacoustique et acousmatique ;
3° quatorze experts effectifs et quatorze suppléants en musiques actuelles, en
particulier dans l’exercice d’une activité d’interprète, de programmateur, de
compositeur, de critique musical ou d’enseignant de musiques actuelles, dont
au moins deux experts pour chacune des activités suivantes :
a) jazz ;
b) chanson, en ce compris la chanson pour enfants ;
c) musiques traditionnelles ou du monde ;
d) pop/rock ;
e) hip hop ;
f) musiques électroniques.
Le nombre de postes à pourvoir, les profils recherchés et les modalités de candidatures figurent dans l’appel complet (.pdf).
Ne tardez pas, les candidatures peuvent être déposées jusqu’au jeudi 6 mars 2025 au plus tard.
Strategic Primer : Tik Tok & Instragram
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Two new Strategic Primers, in partnership with Music Ally & IMPALA are out and available.
One focuses on TikTok and covers everything you need to know to make the most of the platform: from its role in the market to marketing best practices, tools and opportunities as well as strategies for independent labels. The report also refers to current issues surrounding TikTok, including in relation to the community of independents.
Another one focusses on Instagram and explores the platform’s presence in the market as well as effective marketing strategies, and how independent labels can leverage its potential.
Other Primers on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music are also available for members.
Just drop an email to info(at)bima.be to get your copy of these essential guide.
Thx to IMPALA, MERLIN & Musically!
A 2024 Music Report
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Duetti publie un 2ᵉ rapport annuel sur l’économie de la musique.
L’étude révèle entre autre que le mode découverte de Spotify réduit les paiements globaux et plus particulièrement pour les indépendants, que les revenus des genres de niche surpassent ceux du mainstream et que la viralité sur TikTok n’entraîne pas nécessairement une hausse des redevances…
Duetti est une plateforme musicale fondée en 2022 par Lior Tibon, ancien directeur des opérations de TIDAL, et Christopher Nolte, ancien responsable de l’acquisition de contenu chez TIDAL et Apple Music.
IMPALA lance son nouveau programme avec le soutien de l'UE
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IMPALA lance un programme de quatre ans cofinancé par l’UE dès 2025, offrant un soutien stratégique aux labels indépendants en Europe. Grâce à ce financement, IMPALA, qui compte plus de 6 000 membres dans 33 marchés européens, est reconnu comme un réseau européen représentant un maillon distinct et essentiel de la chaîne de valeur musicale : la production musicale indépendante.
De nouveaux projets voient le jour, tels que des « Artists & Labels Camps » qui favoriseront les collaborations entre acteurs indépendants, des « Climate Clinics » encourageront la transition écologique de notre secteur ou la remise d’Awards pour une meilleure visibilité des initiatives innovantes. IMPALA met aussi l’accent sur l’Europe centrale et orientale, tout en renforçant les collaborations mondiales, permettant ainsi aux labels indépendants de se structurer, d’innover et de prospérer dans un secteur en pleine mutation.
Strategic Primer : DEEZER
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The fifth Strategic Primer with Music Ally is out! This edition focuses on Deezer. Request it to explore everything you need to know about Deezer, from its market presence and marketing best practices to opportunities for indie labels on the platform. The recording of our Q&A session with Music Ally on our previous Primer dedicated to YouTube is also available.
Other Primers on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music are also available for members.
Just drop an email to info(at)bima.be
Thx to IMPALA, MERLIN & Musically!
Carbon Calculator 2024 & More
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IMPALA publie son deuxième rapport suite à l’appel à contribution aux labels indépendant pour mesurer leur empreinte carbone via le Carbon Calculator. L’accent est mis ici sur les actions pratiques afin de réduire celle-ci.
Ce rapport se concentre sur les nouveaux résultats ainsi que sur des études de cas de labels utilisant le Carbon Calculator pour améliorer leurs opérations et réduire leur impact sur l’environnement. Les lecteurs trouveront des témoignages de labels qui utilisent déjà l’outil, un aperçu des mises à jour apportées au calculateur en 2024, ainsi que les résultats de la déclaration des données carbone de cette année. Il comprend également des détails sur l’empreinte carbone moyenne des labels indépendants utilisant l’outil, mettant en évidence les points chauds en matière d’émissions sur lesquels les labels devraient se concentrer pour réduire leurs émissions.
Une autre source d’information pour les labels souhaitant réduire leur impacte environnement est disponible sur le site de WIN : https://winformusic.org/sustainability/ et regroupe une série d’initiative sur le sujet.
Sustainability Spotlight
100 Independent Artists to Watch
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It’s time to start preparing your nominations for IMPALA’s « 100 Artists to Watch » for 2025!
The deadline to submit nominations is the10th January 2025.
Take part of 2025 selection & send your artist proposal to remi(at)bima.be with
Photos & credits
Short description of the artists (65 words max)
Music genres of each artist
Label names
Social media handles (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
Youtube / Spotify channel links.
Please take care to apply the following criteria when selecting artists:
- Diversity – This is our top priority. While you can also consider factors like innovation and commercial success, we ask that all lists reflect diverse representation. Last year’s list was less diverse than the first edition, so we’re making an extra push this year.
- Signed to an European independent label or self-releasing – European artists signed to independent labels in other European countries (e.g., a Belgian artist signed to a Dutch label) are eligible.
- Must have a YouTube channel with an existing follower base.
Please also note:
- No multiple nominations from the same label – Each artist nominated should ideally come from a different record label, unless diversity considerations warrant an exception. In such cases, up to two nominations from the same label may be accepted.
IMPALA’S “100 Artists to Watch” features a bright selection of emerging talent from across the European independent music sector each year. “100 Artists to Watch” puts the spotlight on key independent artists across Europe.
Each BIMA Members are free to propose one artist of his choice, based on various factors such as diversity, innovation, as well as commercial success.