Later this morning, UK minister Vince Cable will present the government’s official response to the recent Hargreaves review of intellectual property. However, both UK Music and PRS for Music have issued their responses to the response already, with UK Music notably unhappy.
With Cable expected to rule out site-blocking as an anti-piracy tactic, CEO Feargal Sharkey says “Following Government’s announcement, who wants to tell the 80% of music businesses that employ fewer than 5 people, and the thousands of artists who self-finance the production of their own albums, that to enjoy the protection of the law, all they need now is to have millions of pounds and spend years in court to protect their work. Is this really the way to grow our creative industries?”
UK Music also says it has no problem with making format-shifting legal, but has nevertheless come out against any plan that will leave artists and songwriters worse off. “We’re incredulous that the UK Government should even aspire to denigrate its own artists and creators by launching a consultation on how to leave them worse off than artists and creators in 22 other EU countries,” says UK Music’s statement.
Meanwhile, PRS for Music CEO Robert Ashcroft has taken a less aggressive line, albeit while stating that “Where exemptions are proposed, we need to ensure they are not detrimental to the income of creators, fully thought through, and work within the wider EU legal framework.” With Cable’s speech to come today, not to mention the publication of Ofcom’s report into sections 17 and 18 of the Digital Economy Act, we’ll have more reactions in tomorrow’s Bulletin and Music Ally Report. Source: UK Music Source: PRS for Music
Like what you’ve read here? This is just a snippet from our subscription service.
Our subscribers get the most important digital music news and analysis delivered to them every morning and full reports every week plus access to a massive archive of data and previous reports.
For a free two week trial of Music Ally, sign up here. No strings attached – we promise!
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools :: Wyng
Through Music Ally’s internal marketing campaign tracking, we’ve recently discovered an interesting website by the…