International music industry responds to UK Government's decision on term extension

24th July 2007

John Kennedy, Chairman and Chief Executive of IFPI, responds to the UK Government’s decision not to press the European Commission to extend the term of copyright protection:

"The UK is a world-beating source of great music, so it is frustrating that on the issue of copyright term the Government has shown scant respect for British artists and the UK recording industry. Some of the greatest works of British music will soon be taken away from the artists who performed them and the companies that invested in them. Extending copyright term would promote vital investment in young talent and new music, all of which will help to secure the UK’s future as an exciting music market.”

Full UK music industry press release below:

Government’s negative verdict on copyright term represents “a failed test” on British musicians

The Government’s refusal to accept the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee’s recommendation on extending copyright for sound recordings represents a failed test of its support for British musicians, performers and music consumers.

In May the CMS Select Committee recommended that the Government press the case with the European Commission for extending sound recording copyright term from 50 to 70 years. In its formal response to that report the Government has today ignored the recommendation, saying that:

"Taking account of the findings of … reports… which carefully considered the impact on the economy as a whole, and without further substantive evidence to the contrary, it does not seem appropriate for the Government to press the Commission for action at this stage."

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive, BPI commented on this response saying:

“This was a test of Government support for British music which it has failed. Ministers appear to have selective hearing on this issue – they have ignored the views of artists and their union, managers, record labels and now even a Parliamentary Select Committee. Opposition MPs and many Labour backbenchers understand the value of fair copyright and support term extension.

"We will continue to put forward the strong case for fair copyright in Europe. It is profoundly disappointing that we are forced to do so without the backing of the British Government.”

John F. Smith, General Secretary, Musicians' Union said:

"We are disappointed that the Government has not accepted the advice of the Select Committee, but will continue to press for an extension to the period of protection for performers' rights both domestically and in Europe."

Fran Nevrkla, CEO & Chairman, PPL and VPL said:

"This is a massive disappointment from the Government and flies in the face of cross-parliamentary advice and wide-ranging research to extend the term of copyright protection for sound recordings. When there is so much talk about the importance of the Creative Economy it is totally illogical to ignore the discrepancy in the duration of copyrights and dismiss the enormous cultural and economic contribution that the performer community and the record industry as a whole have made to this country over many decades.

"At PPL we pay out hard earned revenues to thousands of record companies, big and small, and tens of thousands of musicians - for many of whom this is their only income stream from recordings, especially as they enter old age and are unable to be active in their profession. This announcement effectively makes all performers and record companies second class citizens in the copyright environment. This deliberate continuing discrimination is hard to understand because it cannot be justified."

John Kennedy, IFPI Chairman & CEO:

Alison Wenham, AIM Chief Executive and Chairman:

“It seems unjust to deny UK musicians and record labels the same lifetime benefits from their work that other creators enjoy in both the music industry, and in other creative industries. The huge enjoyment derived by fans, of our great legacy of recordings, will cease to earn the artists who made them a penny. This has to be wrong while they are still often reliant on those earnings."

A number of British artists have commented on the response:

Joe Brown, singer:

“This is a very disappointing non response which adversely affects the intellectual copyright of all UK recording artists, orchestra members and session musicians not to mention the legitimate record companies. The UK film industry is protected in a much greater way as are recording artists and musicians in the vast majority of other countries of the world with similar recording industries - One wonders why our government feels that we should be punished."

Roger Daltrey, singer, The Who:

"Thousands of musicians have no pensions and rely on royalties to support themselves. These people helped to create one of Britain's most successful industries, poured money into the British economy and enriched people's lives. They are not asking for a handout, just a fair reward for their creative endeavours."

Sharon Donegan, Lonnie Donegan's widow:

"50 years of blood, sweat and tears and Lonnie thought he was leaving us a legacy, but now it's now going to be worth nothing. I'd like to meet the people in Government who made this decision and explain to them what goes into being a musician. They need to understand what goes into it. We don't just appear out of nowhere and then disappear again after the show. I was on the road with Lonnie for thirty years, often doing 18-hour days. A lorry driver wouldn't do that. On top of that, there's no sick pay so when Lonnie was seriously ill, all he had were his royalties. Now, even those are going to be taken away.

“A few weeks ago, I met some MPs and they did understand how important this copyright is to us. That's why I'm so disappointed and surprised by this decision. We should be treating our artists better than this."

Peter Donegan, freelance musician and Lonnie Donegan's son:

"I'm beginning to wonder if I'm wasting my time here. I'm just getting going as a musician. Having done my time playing in pubs for £20 to £30 a gig, I'm now doing concert venues but what am I going to be left with at the end of it. I can't afford a car at the moment, let alone a pension."

Bruce Foxton, musician, singer, writer, The Jam:

"I thought the politicians were beginning to get this. I've played bass on all The Jam tracks and all we've been asking is that we can earn royalties from those recordings, assuming people keep buying them. Now I will be faced with losing all that when the time comes - and at a point when age will seriously limit my other earning opportunities."

Helen Shapiro, singer:

"It all seems a long time ago but why should the government allow someone else to profit from my work. All the other creators get a proper copyright term. Performing artists should too and a creative industries minister should understand that."

For further information contact the BPI communications department on 020 7803 1395.

Editors' Notes

AIM is the non-profit trade body established in 1998 by UK independent record labels to represent the independent record sector, over 1/5 of the UK market with 2005 sales worth nearly £1/2 billion from mainstream UK retail alone. AIM has over 800 members, from the smallest start-ups to the largest and most respected independents in the world. http://www.musicindie.com

The BPI represents the UK recorded music industry. Its membership comprises of hundreds of music companies including all four 'major' record companies, associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies representing literally thousands of labels. http://www.bpi.co.uk

IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide, with a membership comprising some 1400 record companies in 75 countries and affiliated industry associations in 49 countries. IFPI's mission is to promote the value of recorded music, safeguard the rights of record producers and expand the commercial uses of recorded music in all markets where its members operate. http://www.ifpi.org

The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major employers in the industry, it offers a range of services for professional and student musicians of all ages. http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk

PPL is a music industry organisation collecting and distributing airplay and public performance royalties in the UK on behalf of over 3,500 record companies and 40,000 performers. http://www.ppluk.com