UPDATE 3-EU proposes longer copyright for performers

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By Huw Jones

BRUSSELS, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Performing artists should be entitled to keep copyright on recordings for 95 years instead of the current 50 years, the European Union's internal market chief said on Thursday in a step cheered by top music acts like U2.

"I have not seen or heard a convincing reason why a composer of music should benefit from a term of copyright that extends to the composer's life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should enjoy 50 years, often not even covering his lifetime," Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy told a news conference.

Performers who began their careers in their early 20s would get to their 70s and the copyright for their recordings would run out at a vulnerable time in their lives, he said.

"This should not impact on consumer prices," McCreevy said, adding most of the extra cash collected would stay in Europe.

The copyright extension will apply to recording companies as well as performers and bring the bloc into line with the United States.

The recording industry gave McCreevy the thumbs up.

"This is a proposal to give a fair deal to the next generation of music talent by giving new artists in Europe the same copyright term as their counterparts in the U.S.," said Paul McGuinness, manager of Irish rock band U2.