News 

Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is proposing to extend the term of protection for recordings from 50 to 95 years.

McCreevy believe that the extended term would benefit performers who could continue earning money over an additional period. They will continue to be eligible for broadcast remuneration, remuneration for performances in public place and compensation payments for private copying of their performances.

"The copyright measures adopted today should underline that we take a holistic approach when it comes to intellectual property,"he said. "I am committedtoconcentrate all necessary effortsto ensure that performers have a decent income and that there will be a European-based music industry in the years to come."

The UK's main music trade body, the BPI, welcomed the proposal.

"Copyright is the core driver of creativity, and Britain needs a strong copyright framework to provide the right conditions for British music to thrive,"

ADVERTISEMENT

said chief executive Geoff Taylor. "Commissioner McCreevy's proposal aims to ensure that our performers and labels are no longer treated as the second class citizens in the copyright world."

But the Open Rights Group said that McCreevy has ignored the evidence-based findings of his own advisors, the UK government's independent analysis, and those of Europe's leading intellectual property research centres.

"Copyright term is a quid pro quo, designed to balance the interests of consumers and creators. Confusing this with contractual issues and pension schemes while ignoring the evidence gives Europeans a raw deal. Europe's citizens are entitled to more than a privatised cultural heritage," it said in a statement.

"While granting unending intellectual property rights may sound good, a fair and balanced approach means that legislators must avoid dismissing economic rationale and the traps of faith based policy and voodoo economics that simply grant IP rightsholders requests for more."

It is also questionable whether extending rights will make any difference to artists' and producers income. The typical annual payout is a few pounds, while most copyright is vested in the record companies rather than the recording artists, which is perhaps why organisations such as the BPI have been most keen to see it extended.

With this in mind McCreevy has made one concession to opponents of the extension, a "use it or lose it" clause, that will allow artists to reclaim the rights to a recording if the record label decides not to reissue it after 50 years.