music_news 91 posts

A survey by Entertainment Media Research revealed that illegal downloading has reached its highest level ever and the number of people concerned about being prosecuted is falling. (The Guardian).

Out of 1700 people who participated in the survey 43% claimed they’re illegally downloading tracks (last year it was 36%). Only 33% are concerned about the risk of prosecution compared to 42% in 2006.

The report suggests that price is the key factor for such situation and that the industry has to consider differential pricing.

The music industry association BPI replied that: “future success was not just down to new business models but also better protection against piracy, particularly from internet service providers.” "Industry cannot do it alone," said a spokesman. "ISPs as gatekeepers, and government as legislators, must also play an active role in tackling copyright theft if the UK is to thrive as a knowledge... read more

Copyright on some popular music performed in 50’s is going to expire in few years. In UK and EU performers and what’s more important producers may benefit from a sound recording for 50 years. (While authors and their families receive royalties for their entire life plus 70 years on).

For example copyright on some recording by Beatles may expire in 2012 in EU. So music industry represented by IFPI, BPI and some musicians advocates for an increase of copyright term from 50 years to 95.

The UK government has taken the issue seriously and commissioned a report to help its decision. However, the study was a huge disappointment for the industry as the paper suggests that the increase is unnecessary. According to The Guardian the demands of music industry might be rejected thereof.

This report will be revealed next week. Nevertheless it already has been criticized by the industry.

CEO of rights societies the PPL and the VPL said that he “sincerely hope[s] this [UK] government will... read more

The campaign against AllofMP3.com has been going on for some time already. The site has been a target for abundant accusations, threats, lies, lobbying, etc.

Just to give an example: "The reason AllofMP3.com downloads are cheap, is that neither the artists nor the record companies are being paid" said the BPI General Counsel Roz Groome in April.

So the industry assumes that the site's price for music is too low for it to be legal and for artists to be compensated. However, the same (or even lower) price per track is being charged at a legal Chinese service top100.cn. It was launched some 8 months ago and has not received much press in the West, apart from the initial press release and recent news about Orchard licensing its catalogue to the biggest legal Chinese download service. "For just one yuan per song (that is 12 cents), mainland consumers could buy anything from The Beatles to Britney Spears" (South China Morning Post). "top100.cn has gained full supports from international and... read more