James Delahunty
22 Jan 2010 18:19
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has said that global legislation aimed at tackling piracy is the key to the sector's survival. The trade group noted Spain as proof of a link between government inaction and growing music piracy. It said that Spain does not have laws in place to prevent illegal downloads, and pointed out that sales of music from local artists fell 65 percent in five years.
IFPI chairman John Kennedy described the situation in Spain as "almost irreversible". In the UK, the IFPI has thrown support behind the Digital Economy Bill, which contains measures that could result in music file sharers being disconnected from the Internet, and a controversial clause that hands power to change copyright laws to the Secretary of State.
"I hope they won't throw clause 17 overboard," Kennedy said. "We want this to be futureproof." Unsurprisingly, he also believes that suspension for persistent file sharers is a tactic that will be effective against online piracy. "If there is a risk of kids losing their internet connection, they will stop," said Mr Kennedy. He described the loss of the recent case against Oink (BitTorrent tracker) as a terrible disappointment, and added that it was an indication of how UK laws are out of touch.
Opposition to plans that include suspending file sharers after a series of warnings has been well reported on in recent months. As for the controversial clause 17 of the Digital Economy Bill, it has drawn concerns from companies that include Google and Facebook. "IFPI is calling for a copyright ratchet that will remove due process and threaten our human rights," said Jim Killock, Executive Director of the Open Rights Group.
"Copyright holders cannot hope to micro-manage the behaviour of every consumer."