Sign the petition at Release the Music

November 30, 2006

This article at Boing Boing caught my attention the other day:

The BBC are reporting that there will be no copyright extension for songs in the UK. The official review commissioned by the Treasury on all IP law in the UK has not yet been published but it is highly likely the BBC have managed to get a sneak peak

Here’s what’s happened;  In the UK, the current laws grant copyright for 50 years. Artists like Cliff Richard want that term extended to 95 years. Some of his early material was released when he was in his teens, so the 50 years is almost up. His argument is that he should be able to receive royalties on his music, effectively, for the rest of his life.

I don’t disagree with him, but the problem is that extending the copyright term brings an awful lot of material which is currently out of copyright back in to the private domain. In other words, all of the music that is legally free from restriction today would belong to those Media Mafiosi; the big record companies. Release the Music, a campaign being run by the Open Rights Group, sums it up perfectly:

In an attempt to squeeze every last bit of profit from their catalogue, the recording industry is trying to extend their control over sound recordings by asking the government to extend the term of copyright protection for sound recordings. It’s important to remember that we’re not talking about the artists who make the music, but rather the companies who own the rights to that music. Most artists have to to give up their rights when they sign contracts with record labels. It is these surrendered rights that the companies seek to control.

Although early indications are that the UK Government won’t support the change, the recording industry are already making threatening noises, and are likely to bring a very powerful lobbying guns to bear. Release the Music have prepared a public petition for the Government minister responsible for culture.

If you’re in the UK, I’d urge you to add your name, too.

Technorati Tags: releasethemusic, DRM, digital rights, copyright, music

Posted in media, policy