Andre Yoskowitz
27 Jun 2010 23:50
The IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) has announced this week that their long time Chairman and CEO John Kennedy will be stepping down.
Says Kennedy of his departure: "I leave behind a fabulous team at IFPI well qualified to deal with the many and complex issues the recording industry has to deal with."
The IFPI has been known to take down file sharing sites, notably international torrent sites. The IFPI is also behind raids on music pirates and uploaders.
Kennedy continued: "It has been a fascinating, enjoyable and challenging role over the last few years and I believe we have achieved a great deal but I now intend to return to a more commercial role."
Finally, the ex-CEO marked a number of "successes" the group has had during his tenure:
-The concept of graduated response is now being enacted by many governments and considered by more - a far cry from the reception I got when I suggested this idea to the ISPs many years ago in Brussels.
-Over the last few years IFPI has been very focused on driving growth of collecting society income and the figures speak for themselves. Over the last five years global broadcasting and public performance revenues for recordings have grown by 270 million dollars an increase of 42%.
-A broadcast right in the USA is hopefully within our grasp and in China a broadcast and public performance right should become a reality over the next few years.
-In spite of the challenges the industry faces we have built a 4.3 billion dollar digital business representing more than twenty five per cent (25%) of global revenues. Furthermore in 2009 13 markets around the world returned to growth.
-Tremendous progress has been made on the campaign to extend the copyright term, though the task is not yet complete.
-It's also wonderful to see the success of the industry against Limewire.
As a concluding remark, Kennedy laughed: "I promise not to mention piracy for a while!"