Global Repertoire Database tunes up

Progress on the creation of a Global Repertoire Database (GRD) for musical works has moved ahead strongly over the past twelve months with the completion of the Scoping Study and the commencement of the Requirements and Design Phase according to a new press release, which also says that  2013 will mark some important milestones in the realisation of the project.

The scope of the GRD is to provide a single, comprehensive and authoritative representation of the global ownership and control of musical works. Once deployed the GRD will "save extensive costs, currently lost to duplication in data processing". Delivery of the project is driven by the GRD Working Group: This consists of representatives from 14 organisations of creators, publishers, collective management societies, digital service providers and their trade associations –APRA, GEMA, PRS for Music, SACEM, STIM, CISAC, Sony/ATV/EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, ICMP, ECSA, Google, iTunes and Omnifone. In all, nearly 30 companies represented by nearly 100 individuals are directly involved in the work worldwide. Thirteen collective management societies for music are supporting the project with funding, knowledge and access to their databases and these are APRA, GEMA. PRS, STIM and SACEM as well as ASCAP, BMI, SGAE, SIAE, UBC, BUMA, SABAM and SOCAN. The project is managed by Deloitte with support from ICE and FastTrack as technology solution providers.

Andrew Jenkins, Chair of ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) commented: “ICMP and its music publisher members around the world are committed to the development of the Global Repertoire Database which will benefit all those who have a stake in improved music licensing processes including creators, music publishers, collecting societies, music suppliers and fans of music everywhere. Indeed, it is impossible to argue against the benefits of the GRD for the wider community and all of us involved are working together to deliver something that will be a game-changer for the industry". 

A series of distinct project phases have been completed thus far and the period since March 2012 has been spent ensuring that all parties are comfortable with the way forward and putting the necessary structures in place. Work on the Requirements and Design phase of the project began in October 2012 and will run until May 2013. During this project phase, focus will be on the business requirements and rules of the database including a definition of standards for works, agreements and repertoire mandates as well as definition of the GRD logical data model.

Robert Ashcroft Chief Executive of PRS for Music said “The Global Repertoire Database is the building block for the future success of the legal online music market. PRS for Music has supported the project from the outset and we are committed to making the initiative work for the benefit of rights holders and rights users globally". 

GRD will be set up as a legal entity during the project phase, the business plan will be completed and the logical technology architecture for the system will be defined. In mid-2013, the project will move into the technology build, with a first release of the database due in 2015.

http://globalrepertoiredatabase.com/