July 25th, 2007
UK denies copyright extension to British music publishers
The British music industry wanted what the American industry already has – copyright terms pushing towards the century mark. But public domain advocates will be glad to learn the push was rebuffed by the UK Parliament, as Ars Technica reports.
Despite extensive lobbying by the music industry and a recommendation by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Culture, Media, and Sport, the government decided against the proposal.
The music industry had lobbied the government hard for a copyright extension, saying that it was necessary to protect the rights of musicians, especially groundbreaking acts whose older songs were about to hit the 50-year limit.
“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,” said International Federation of the Phonographic Industry CEO John Kennedy. “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.”
Supporters of the current copyright laws say that 50 years of royalties are enough to encourage new works while allowing for a rich public domain for new artists. In fact, former Financial Times head Andrew Gowers, who led the committee that produced the report, said that the length of copyrights should be reduced, not increased.
“I could have made a case for reducing it based on the economic arguments,” said Gowers. “As it is, we left it in place rather than increasing it to 95 years as some of the music industry wanted. And, again, I think we steered a happy middle course rather than siding with one or other of the opposite poles of this debate.”
