Paul McCartney has urged MEPs to support proposed changes to EU copyright law, which he believes will force online upload platforms to pay songwriters and performers fairly for use of their work.
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The former Beatle, 76, has written an open letter to MEPs ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament on Thursday.
"Music and culture matter. They are a heart and soul. But they don't just happen; they demand the hard work of so many people.
"Importantly, music also creates jobs and economic growth and digital innovation across Europe.
"Unfortunately the value gap jeopardises the music ecosystem. We need an internet that is fair and sustainable for all.
"But today some user upload content platforms refuse to compensate artists and all music creators fairly for their work, while they exploit it for their own profit.
"The value gap is that gulf between the value these platforms derive from music and the value they pay creators."
McCartney added that the proposed legislative changes would assure a sustainable future for the music industry.
The singer has joined more than 1300 artists, including Placido Domingo and James Blunt, in calling for politicians to vote for change.
Australian Associated Press
