Members of Radiohead, Pink Floyd and more have signed an open letter lashing out at Collective Rights Management.

The explosive growth of digital music has presented a number of problems for the music industry. Each country seems to have a different policy on digital downloads, making it difficult for the industry to present a united front.

The EU recently drafted a framework directive on Collective Rights Management, attempting to solve these issues. However a number of high profiles musicians have signed open letter, blasting the directive as being ineffectual.

According to Music Week (via FACT) the letter was signed by Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, British singer Sandie Shaw, producer CJ Bolland.

It's all fairly damning stuff. "We are deeply disappointed by your choice to defend the interests of a minority of managers and stakeholders," the letter opens.

"You have broken your promises and encourage the management of collecting societies to keep the fruits of our creativity... You stole our hopes."

Another extract reads: "You thus legitimise one of the most problematic forms of embezzlement adopted by some collecting societies in Europe".

Ouch. As yet, the directive has not reached the statute books - it must approved by 27 member states to become law.