London, Dec 12: English singer songwriter Sir Cliff Richard has finally won the battle over music royalties after the Government agreed to change the law to extend copyright from 50 to 70 years.

The change is being seen as a victory for 68-year-old Richard, who spearheaded a campaign on the issue, ever since his songs from the 1950s lost their copyright protection.

“I’m absolutely fed up with singing Living Doll but I have sung it constantly since 1959 because every time I sing it live it generates sales of the original record and royalties to me,” the Telegraph quotes him as having said earlier.

Other music stars like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and The Who, will be out of the their copyright in a few years, but now they will be able to earn royalties until the end of their lifetimes, as per the new law.

According to Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, it is a “moral case” for performers to continue reaping financial reward from their hits as they enter old age.

“It is only right that someone who created or contributed to something of real value gets to benefit for the full course of their life,” he stated.

His comments represent a Government U-turn, as a similar proposal was rejected in 2006, and follow pressure from the EU to introduce a Europe-wide 95-year term.

Burnham described the current 50-year rule as “outdated” when he spoke at the UK Music Creators Conference in London on December 11. (ANI)