New alliance British music industry to fight piracy

Various organizations within the British music industry have founded the umbrella association UK Music. This should enable stakeholders to speak with one voice in the fight against piracy, among other things.

The organization not only has the interest group of the music labels BPI on board, but also, among others, the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Music Publishers Association and the Musicians Union trade union. The founding of UK Music follows close cooperation in talks with the UK government to shape anti-piracy plans, thus Feargal Sharkey, former artist and CEO of the organization, told The Guardian. According to him, those discussions showed the various participating interest groups that they were pursuing similar goals. According to Sharkey, the government has pushed for the formation of UK Music, based on the realization that the British music industry can be regarded as a success story and deserves protection.

Further talks with the government to reach agreements with ISPs about warning and shutting down file sharers will be conducted by the new umbrella organisation. On October 30, the association will make proposals to the government to legislate in this area. In addition, the organization will argue for the extension of the British copyright term currently set to 50 years. However, UK Music will also collaborate with universities, including for research into music consumption. Sharkey says the recently formed association of pop artists, the Featured Artists Coalition, is also welcome to join the organization.