Sharkey talks though at MIDEM
"More MIDEM, and the boss of cross-industry trade body UK Music, Feargal Sharkey, often the consolatory voice in the room when the music industry feels it is being abused by government or the internet industry, delivered some fighting talk in his speech.
First the UK government. Despite Culture Secretary Andy Burnham putting pressure on the ISPs to take a more proactive role in combating online piracy, and more recently saying that the government were no longer completely against the idea of extending the sound recording copyright, Sharkey said British ministers should do more to help the music business.
Welcoming the French approach to online piracy (putting obligations on the ISPs to act - and to cut off file sharers - into law), and noting that the UK industry often relied on European legislation to protect label and artists' interests, he said: "Whether it's ensuring that a private copying exception is met with some sort of compensation mechanism, or term extension for sound recordings or simply protection of a creator's moral rights, why is it that UK creators are constantly having to seek support from Brussels and not on our own doorstep?." [CMUDaily]
Industry may start pushing for legislation on net-piracy policing as ISP negotiations falter
Whether it's led by UK Music or the BPI or another trade body, someone may need to step up their lobbying activity regarding making internet service providers take more responsibility for tackling online piracy.
As much previously reported, record label trade body the BPI and six ISPs last year signed a memorandum of understanding which saw the net firms commit send out warning letters to suspected file sharers as a way of preparing the ground for more detailed discussions on how the record companies and net firms could work together to combat piracy and collaborate on new digital music services that could be bundled into ISP's monthly subscriptions." [CMUDaily]
Illegal downloads don’t equate to lost sales, says U.S. judge
"A sort of interesting ruling in the US courts now which may have an impact on how content owners calculate their losses in online piracy cases.
The ruling comes from a criminal copyright action against Daniel Dove, who ran the Elite Torrents message board in 2004 and 2005, providing access to illegal sources of both music and movies. He's already been jailed for 18 months for his involvement in the infringing torrent group, and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.
However, two parties, the Recording Industry Association Of America and movie makers Lionsgate Entertainment, have also made claims for 'restitution'; basically they want to be compensated for the losses they claim they suffered as a result of Dove's torrent service (legally speaking, restitution is subtly different to compensation, but that's in essence what they want)." [CMUDaily]
Rough Trade distribution has MBO
"More indie distribution news for you, and Netherlands-based Rough Trade Distribution, linked back in the day to the London based record shop and label but long since a separate entity, has been bought out by its management." [CMUDaily]
Survey Finds ISPs Number One Choice Of Music Provider
"An international survey of more than 1300 music fans has found that the music industry is offering them the wrong kind of new music services. In the research conducted by The Leading Question and Music Ally in the UK, US and France, music fans overwhelmingly backed Internet Service Providers as their favoured music supplier when asked to choose amongst a variety of possible providers.
46% of the survey chose ISPs as their number one music service provider, compared to 10% preferring cable/satellite TV providers, 5% opting for mobile operators while a meagre 3% considered handset manufacturers best placed to deliver music to them. ISPs were also rated top choice provider for ‘unlimited’ music services, this despite mobile operators and handset manufacturers currently offering more of these services." [MusicAlly]
Showing posts with label Org UK Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Org UK Music. Show all posts
12/15/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 15/12/08
UK plays term numbers game
"A 70-year copyright term is a possibility as UK offers alternative to EC’s 95 years
Europe’s delicately-balanced debate on copyright term is about to be blown out of the water, with the UK Government now poised to tell member states that it is prepared to see an extension to 70 years.
The UK, one of Europe’s biggest music producers, has steadfastly opposed the Charlie McCreevy-sponsored Directive to increase copyright term. While Germany, France and other states have broadly supported the Internal Markets Commissioner’s proposal to extend copyright term from 50 to 95 years, the UK has stuck to the findings of the 2006 Gowers Review, which did not recommend extension.
However, that position – and Gowers’ – was blown apart last Thursday when Culture Secretary Andy Burnham told a conference that he is now working with Department for Innovation Universities and Skills Secretary of state John Denham to “consider the arguments for an extension of copyright term for performers from the current 50 years. An extension to match more closely a performer’s expected lifetime, perhaps something like 70 years”. Senior executives now expect the Government to formally tell the European Council about this monumental U-turn early in the New Year. And that will undoubtedly radically shift the way the debate is progressing." [MusicWeek]
Copyright extension is out of tune with reality
"Politicians often do and say silly things when they come into contact with celebrities.
So it was last Thursday when a star-struck Andy Burnham, Britain's secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport, showed up for a speech and photo-opportunity with the former lead singer of the Undertones, a punk-pop combo of the 1970s. In addition to the usual pleasantries about Britain's creative industries, Mr Burnham set out a novel argument about the law of copyright protecting musicians' work.
There was, he said, "a moral case" for performers - who often do their best recorded work in their 20s and 30s - to benefit from it throughout their lifetime. The government would therefore consider extending copyright for recordings to 70 years from the present 50." [FT]
Copyright law 'could be extended'
"Culture minister Andy Burnham has said the government has changed its mind on allowing performers to make money from their music for 70 years. Performers currently lose the copyright to their recordings after 50 years. "It's only right that someone who created or contributed to something of real value gets to benefit for the full course of their life," he said. Sir Cliff Richard and Roger Daltrey were among those who have campaigned for copyright to be extended." [BBC]
UK ignores logic, backs 20-year music copyright extension
"After a UK government-led commission said that the current 50-year term for musical copyrights was fine, and the government last year publicly agreed that there was no need to extend the term, culture minister Andy Burnham yesterday made the logical follow-up announcement that yes, the government would now push for a 20-year extension on copyright. Turns out, it's the moral thing to do." [ArsTechnica]
"A 70-year copyright term is a possibility as UK offers alternative to EC’s 95 years
Europe’s delicately-balanced debate on copyright term is about to be blown out of the water, with the UK Government now poised to tell member states that it is prepared to see an extension to 70 years.
The UK, one of Europe’s biggest music producers, has steadfastly opposed the Charlie McCreevy-sponsored Directive to increase copyright term. While Germany, France and other states have broadly supported the Internal Markets Commissioner’s proposal to extend copyright term from 50 to 95 years, the UK has stuck to the findings of the 2006 Gowers Review, which did not recommend extension.
However, that position – and Gowers’ – was blown apart last Thursday when Culture Secretary Andy Burnham told a conference that he is now working with Department for Innovation Universities and Skills Secretary of state John Denham to “consider the arguments for an extension of copyright term for performers from the current 50 years. An extension to match more closely a performer’s expected lifetime, perhaps something like 70 years”. Senior executives now expect the Government to formally tell the European Council about this monumental U-turn early in the New Year. And that will undoubtedly radically shift the way the debate is progressing." [MusicWeek]
Copyright extension is out of tune with reality
"Politicians often do and say silly things when they come into contact with celebrities.
So it was last Thursday when a star-struck Andy Burnham, Britain's secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport, showed up for a speech and photo-opportunity with the former lead singer of the Undertones, a punk-pop combo of the 1970s. In addition to the usual pleasantries about Britain's creative industries, Mr Burnham set out a novel argument about the law of copyright protecting musicians' work.
There was, he said, "a moral case" for performers - who often do their best recorded work in their 20s and 30s - to benefit from it throughout their lifetime. The government would therefore consider extending copyright for recordings to 70 years from the present 50." [FT]
Copyright law 'could be extended'
"Culture minister Andy Burnham has said the government has changed its mind on allowing performers to make money from their music for 70 years. Performers currently lose the copyright to their recordings after 50 years. "It's only right that someone who created or contributed to something of real value gets to benefit for the full course of their life," he said. Sir Cliff Richard and Roger Daltrey were among those who have campaigned for copyright to be extended." [BBC]
UK ignores logic, backs 20-year music copyright extension
"After a UK government-led commission said that the current 50-year term for musical copyrights was fine, and the government last year publicly agreed that there was no need to extend the term, culture minister Andy Burnham yesterday made the logical follow-up announcement that yes, the government would now push for a 20-year extension on copyright. Turns out, it's the moral thing to do." [ArsTechnica]
EU Commission Internal Market - 15/12/08
Speech by Commissioner McCreevy at Creators Conference organised by UK Music
11 December 2008
"Ladies and Gentlemen, It is well known that there is no place I like better than to be among innovators, entrepreneurs and business people. I usually address people involved in the more main stream industries – manufacturers of goods and suppliers of services. And while the entertainment business is far more glamorous than manufacturing widgets, at the end of the day it's all about making a living and being paid for your creativity and innovation. So it is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning to speak to such an illustrious group of artists and creators. And I would like to take this opportunity to explain why I, the Commissioner for the Internal Market – usually associated with big banks and other large financial industries – launched a proposal to obtain 'a better deal for performers'.
First and foremost, I consider copyright and the music industry to be just as important as any other part of my portfolio – not only in terms of the economic and cultural benefits it brings to the European Union, but perhaps even more importantly because of the entertainment and feel good factor music brings to our daily lives." [Europa]
McCreevy tells industry to sort out performer fund
"The success of copyright term extension could hinge on how quickly the industry agrees to divvy up the performer fund proposed by Charlie McCreevy in his Directive. The EC Internal Market commissioner, who proposed extending copyright from 50 to 95 years, in February also proposed a fund should be set aside for session musicians.
In the proposal he said that the performers would get 20% of gross revenue generated in the extended term. However, various sectors of the industry are also keen that featured artists benefit from the fund and there have been talks between the BPI, Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum to resolve this issue." [MusicWeek]
11 December 2008
"Ladies and Gentlemen, It is well known that there is no place I like better than to be among innovators, entrepreneurs and business people. I usually address people involved in the more main stream industries – manufacturers of goods and suppliers of services. And while the entertainment business is far more glamorous than manufacturing widgets, at the end of the day it's all about making a living and being paid for your creativity and innovation. So it is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning to speak to such an illustrious group of artists and creators. And I would like to take this opportunity to explain why I, the Commissioner for the Internal Market – usually associated with big banks and other large financial industries – launched a proposal to obtain 'a better deal for performers'.
First and foremost, I consider copyright and the music industry to be just as important as any other part of my portfolio – not only in terms of the economic and cultural benefits it brings to the European Union, but perhaps even more importantly because of the entertainment and feel good factor music brings to our daily lives." [Europa]
McCreevy tells industry to sort out performer fund
"The success of copyright term extension could hinge on how quickly the industry agrees to divvy up the performer fund proposed by Charlie McCreevy in his Directive. The EC Internal Market commissioner, who proposed extending copyright from 50 to 95 years, in February also proposed a fund should be set aside for session musicians.
In the proposal he said that the performers would get 20% of gross revenue generated in the extended term. However, various sectors of the industry are also keen that featured artists benefit from the fund and there have been talks between the BPI, Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum to resolve this issue." [MusicWeek]
11/21/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 21/11/08
Committee on Culture
"1. Presentation of the outcomes of the French Presidency on 2nd December: The French ministers will present the achievements of the French Presidency of the Council in the fields for which the Committee is responsible. The ministers' presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions with MEPs.
2. Term of protection of copyright and related rights: the draft opinion stresses the importance of implementing measures to ensure fair and consistent remuneration of performers. It will be adopted in Committee on 2 December. The draftsman is Christopher HEATON-HARRIS (EPP-ED, GB)"
A better return for our money: The EU wants the EIB to play a role in its response to the economic crisis – but it must make sure the EIB meets its existing responsibilities better
"The European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU's publicity-shy house bank, has shot to prominence in recent weeks as the global economic crisis has deepened. Nationally and collectively, EU leaders have scrambled to boost lending to small businesses that are being hit by the credit crunch. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, has talked up the role the EIB could play in responding to the crisis; Günter Verheugen, the industry commissioner, wants the EIB to offer a €40 billion soft-loan package to the European car industry; and the UK's finance minister, Alistair Darling, has been pushing UK banks to make the most of the EIB's increased loans facility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." [EuropeanVoice]
U.K. Music Backs Government Proposal On ISPs
"U.K. Music, the recently formed umbrella organization encompassing the major British music-industry groups, has declared its support for a co-regulatory system between ISPS, the music industry and a government-appointed body to ensure ISPs tackle illegal P2P file-sharing.
In its contribution to the consultation process set up by the U.K. government's Department for Business Enterprises and Regulatory Reform (BERR), U.K. Music says a government-approved independent adjudicator is required to oversee a co-regulatory system covering ISPs and digital piracy. "In view of the historic differences between rights holders and ISPs, some form of regulatory control is required," U.K. Music says in its documents. The organization agrees with the government that media and telecommunications regulator Ofcom is the appropriate body." [Billboard]
UK Music call for online copyright regulator
"Cross-industry trade body UK Music has told the government that it supports proposals for a regulator to oversee copyright issues on the internet. In a submission to a government consultation on the issue of music and the net, UK Music say that, "in view of the historic differences between rights holders and ISPs, some form of regulatory control is required".
As much previously reported, some progress has been made this year regarding the long running dispute between the music industry and the internet service providers, in which the former said the latter had a duty to play a more proactive role in combating online piracy. " [CMUDaily]
Term extension petition launched at PPL APM
"'Performer members' of recordings royalty collecting society PPL (ie recording artists and musicians) have put their names to the latest petition calling on the government to extend the recorded music copyright term.
As much much much previously reported, in Europe the copyright term for recordings is fifty years, whereas the term enjoyed by songwriters (and writers and photographers etc) is life plus seventy years." [CMUDaily]
PPL performer members sign letter to the Prime Minister as UK government continues in its failure to give musicians copyright parity with other creators
"Performer members who attended PPL's second Annual Performer Meeting (APM), which took place at Abbey Road Studios on Monday (17th), were moved to sign a letter to the Prime Minister asking him for Fair Play For Musicians.
This important initiative has been made necessary due to the intransigence of the UK government in their failure to support copyright term extension which would put musicians on parity with other creators (authors, composers, painters, photographers amongst many) and which is being both recognised and supported by the European Commission and governments around Europe." [RecordOfTheDay]
Member States Review Key Copyright Issues
WIPO member states meeting under the auspices of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights met from November 3 to 7 November 2008 to review a number of key copyright issues. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Jukka Liedes of Finland, the SCCR examined the current state of play WIPO’s work on limitations and exceptions, the protection of audiovisual performances and the protection of broadcasting organizations. Discussions also featured the question of access to copyright-protected content by visually impaired persons. [WIPO]
"1. Presentation of the outcomes of the French Presidency on 2nd December: The French ministers will present the achievements of the French Presidency of the Council in the fields for which the Committee is responsible. The ministers' presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions with MEPs.
2. Term of protection of copyright and related rights: the draft opinion stresses the importance of implementing measures to ensure fair and consistent remuneration of performers. It will be adopted in Committee on 2 December. The draftsman is Christopher HEATON-HARRIS (EPP-ED, GB)"
A better return for our money: The EU wants the EIB to play a role in its response to the economic crisis – but it must make sure the EIB meets its existing responsibilities better
"The European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU's publicity-shy house bank, has shot to prominence in recent weeks as the global economic crisis has deepened. Nationally and collectively, EU leaders have scrambled to boost lending to small businesses that are being hit by the credit crunch. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, has talked up the role the EIB could play in responding to the crisis; Günter Verheugen, the industry commissioner, wants the EIB to offer a €40 billion soft-loan package to the European car industry; and the UK's finance minister, Alistair Darling, has been pushing UK banks to make the most of the EIB's increased loans facility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." [EuropeanVoice]
U.K. Music Backs Government Proposal On ISPs
"U.K. Music, the recently formed umbrella organization encompassing the major British music-industry groups, has declared its support for a co-regulatory system between ISPS, the music industry and a government-appointed body to ensure ISPs tackle illegal P2P file-sharing.
In its contribution to the consultation process set up by the U.K. government's Department for Business Enterprises and Regulatory Reform (BERR), U.K. Music says a government-approved independent adjudicator is required to oversee a co-regulatory system covering ISPs and digital piracy. "In view of the historic differences between rights holders and ISPs, some form of regulatory control is required," U.K. Music says in its documents. The organization agrees with the government that media and telecommunications regulator Ofcom is the appropriate body." [Billboard]
UK Music call for online copyright regulator
"Cross-industry trade body UK Music has told the government that it supports proposals for a regulator to oversee copyright issues on the internet. In a submission to a government consultation on the issue of music and the net, UK Music say that, "in view of the historic differences between rights holders and ISPs, some form of regulatory control is required".
As much previously reported, some progress has been made this year regarding the long running dispute between the music industry and the internet service providers, in which the former said the latter had a duty to play a more proactive role in combating online piracy. " [CMUDaily]
Term extension petition launched at PPL APM
"'Performer members' of recordings royalty collecting society PPL (ie recording artists and musicians) have put their names to the latest petition calling on the government to extend the recorded music copyright term.
As much much much previously reported, in Europe the copyright term for recordings is fifty years, whereas the term enjoyed by songwriters (and writers and photographers etc) is life plus seventy years." [CMUDaily]
PPL performer members sign letter to the Prime Minister as UK government continues in its failure to give musicians copyright parity with other creators
"Performer members who attended PPL's second Annual Performer Meeting (APM), which took place at Abbey Road Studios on Monday (17th), were moved to sign a letter to the Prime Minister asking him for Fair Play For Musicians.
This important initiative has been made necessary due to the intransigence of the UK government in their failure to support copyright term extension which would put musicians on parity with other creators (authors, composers, painters, photographers amongst many) and which is being both recognised and supported by the European Commission and governments around Europe." [RecordOfTheDay]
Member States Review Key Copyright Issues
WIPO member states meeting under the auspices of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights met from November 3 to 7 November 2008 to review a number of key copyright issues. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Jukka Liedes of Finland, the SCCR examined the current state of play WIPO’s work on limitations and exceptions, the protection of audiovisual performances and the protection of broadcasting organizations. Discussions also featured the question of access to copyright-protected content by visually impaired persons. [WIPO]
11/3/08
EU Events Monitor: 03/11/08
JURI Committee: JURI - Copyright and related rights - 04.11.08
"On 4 November 2008 from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., the Committee on Legal Affairs will have a hearing on "Term of protection of copyright and related rights".
At that occasion, Mr Brian Crowley, rapporteur, will present his draft report."
Copyright term gets Brussels hearing
The legal affairs committee of the European Parliament is opening its public hearing on copyright term next Tuesday.
SHARKEY TO ADDRESS ISP CONFERENCE
"UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey will speak at the annual conference of the Internet Service Providers' Association in London next month.
His booking is part of UK Music's attempts to negotiate a truce between the music industry and the internet providers after the former accused the latter of turning a blind eye to online piracy because it helped them flog more broadband subscriptions. As previously reported, negotiations between Sharkey and record label trade body the BPI and six ISPs have already led to a 'memorandum of understanding' between all parties which has seen the net firms send out warning letters to suspected file sharers, and will also see the launch of new licensed music services by the net providers." [CMUDaily]
"On 4 November 2008 from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., the Committee on Legal Affairs will have a hearing on "Term of protection of copyright and related rights".
At that occasion, Mr Brian Crowley, rapporteur, will present his draft report."
Copyright term gets Brussels hearing
The legal affairs committee of the European Parliament is opening its public hearing on copyright term next Tuesday.
SHARKEY TO ADDRESS ISP CONFERENCE
"UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey will speak at the annual conference of the Internet Service Providers' Association in London next month.
His booking is part of UK Music's attempts to negotiate a truce between the music industry and the internet providers after the former accused the latter of turning a blind eye to online piracy because it helped them flog more broadband subscriptions. As previously reported, negotiations between Sharkey and record label trade body the BPI and six ISPs have already led to a 'memorandum of understanding' between all parties which has seen the net firms send out warning letters to suspected file sharers, and will also see the launch of new licensed music services by the net providers." [CMUDaily]
10/27/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 27/10/08
Music trade unites to fight against piracy October 27 2008
"A new umbrella organisation formed to represent Britain's entire music industry will today promise to deliver a five-year plan to plot a safer course for a sector that has been battered in the past decade.
UK Music intends to replace the disparate voices of the confusing tangle of bodies that previously represented the industry, frequently with conflicting viewpoints." [Guardian]
Behind the music at Musexpo: Can we fix a 'broken' industry?
"This week's conference in London brought into focus the lack of trust and transparency that is rife in the music industry
This week, the decision makers of the music industry rolled into London for the music conference Musexpo. Musexpo started out with three music executives having dinner in LA. Sat Bisla, one of the diners, realised that there needed to be more communication between the different areas of the music industry and started a yearly event." [Guardian]
"A new umbrella organisation formed to represent Britain's entire music industry will today promise to deliver a five-year plan to plot a safer course for a sector that has been battered in the past decade.
UK Music intends to replace the disparate voices of the confusing tangle of bodies that previously represented the industry, frequently with conflicting viewpoints." [Guardian]
Behind the music at Musexpo: Can we fix a 'broken' industry?
"This week's conference in London brought into focus the lack of trust and transparency that is rife in the music industry
This week, the decision makers of the music industry rolled into London for the music conference Musexpo. Musexpo started out with three music executives having dinner in LA. Sat Bisla, one of the diners, realised that there needed to be more communication between the different areas of the music industry and started a yearly event." [Guardian]
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