Dismay as EU appoints ex-music lobbyist as copyright tzar

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 31 Mar 2011 at 08:42

Consumer groups and liberal politicians have expressed outrage following the appointment of a new copyright tzar at the EU – a former director of a music industry lobby group.

At a time when copyright issues are reaching boiling point, with key regulations for preventing online piracy under discussion, the EU has chosen Maria Martin-Prat, former director of legal policy the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Among Martin-Prat's upcoming tasks will be a revision of the 2004 Enforcement Directive as well as the controversial ACTA trade agreement that looks to tighten global copyright laws.

EU officials told PC Pro the appointment would come into effect on April 16, confirming a move that has been met with derision in some circles, with MEPs suggesting Martin-Prat's former relationship with the music industry appeared far too cosy.

“Welcome to the European Union, where the big business lobby organisations are calling most of the shots at the Commission, and where citizens are just seen as a nuisance to be ignored,” said Pirate MEP Christian Engstrom in a blog post on the subject. "I guess the only real news is that they don’t even bother to try to hide it any more."

Officially, the European Consumers' Organisation and other consumer groups are remaining quite on the issue – eager not to jeopardise their working relationships with the new copyright boss before they have even started.

However, sources at the groups told PC Pro the appointment was “disappointing” with one consumer group email seen by us describing the decision as “appalling”.

The concerns could be well founded if Martin-Prat carries her former views into her new role.

In Chatham House industry discussions during her time with IFPI, for example, she argued that “private copying had no reason to exist and should be limited further than it is”.