What we do
Mission
IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access and increase access to finance.
Grow the independent sector
Promoting growth is about maximising all commercial opportunities, delivering a proper regulatory framework, with improved market access, better finance, true diversity and greener business practices. Our goal is not just a level playing field, but also a premium for independent music.
Return more value to artists
Removing all barriers to licensing online and off-line is vital. Closing these “value gaps” is important as they transfer value away from all creators. Returning value to artists also means full transparency, proper reporting and revenue sharing.
Promote diversity and entrepreneurship
By discovering and releasing the most innovative artists, our members play a key role in developing the cultural landscape and delivering choice for artists and fans. We seek an economic and regulatory environment that promotes this work and also actively fosters diverse and inclusive entrepreneurship. We also promote the right conditions to reduce our carbon footprint and tackle climate emergency.
Improve political access
We help smaller businesses to work together to match the influence of larger companies and make themselves visible at political level. IMPALA provides an active single voice for the independent sector.
Inspire change
By broadening the agenda and offering new solutions, IMPALA is a sector leader and aims to inspire decision makers to improve conditions for cultural SMEs, achieve inclusion and diversity, promote sustainable and green economic growth and unlock future investment.
Increase access to finance
To maximise the full potential of Europe’s cultural and creative SMEs, we call for a new financial approach to culture. Investment in culture would increase if fiscal and other incentives were promoted. Reduced VAT rates on cultural goods and services, loan guarantee schemes, tax credits and valuation of intangible assets are key tools. Ending double taxation is also crucial.
Find out more about IMPALA’s achievements under milestones.
What we are currently working on
IMPALA enables the independents to leverage their collective strength with credibility and experience.
IMPALA’s actions include:
- Advocating for strong and fair copyright as a liberator, vital for proper remuneration and freedom of expression.
- Promoting exclusive rights and closing value gaps in all business areas, from online to performance and broadcast, etc.
- Campaigning for better access for independent music to online platforms, radio, retail, TV and other media.
- Tackling the impact of the covid-19 crisis.
- Putting the spotlight on innovative business models.
- Keeping the independents one step ahead in the digital market.
- Promoting best practices for collecting societies and making sure European performance money is not lost to countries with no domestic right.
- Working with independents in Central and Eastern Europe to launch new structures to build capacity locally.
- Advocating for transparency and fairness with artists – 2/3 of signatories of WIN’s Fair Digital Deals Declaration are European.
- Calling for new rules of engagement online – data protection, privacy, taxation, non-discrimination, competition, accountability.
- Promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in the music sector.
- Calling for urgent action to address the climate emergency, promoting greener business practices.
- Developing and participating in EU projects that boost our sector.
- Seeking new antitrust rules specific to culture.
- Taking action against concentration and other abuses.
- Promoting Merlin, the first global digital rights agency for independents.
- Seeking tax credits, loan guarantees, new revenue sharing mechanisms, reduced VAT, proper valuation of copyright assets.
- Campaigning for EU and national music programmes.
- Delivering more and better choice for artists and music fans.
- Promoting an industrial policy for culture, mapping and measuring the sectors adequately.
- WIPO observer and member of UNESCO’s Global Alliance
Milestones
To see what has been achieved, read our IMPALA’s milestones here.
Resources
For more detail and accompanying documents on specific priorities click here.