Music
Independent record companies have warned over Government plans to relax copyright restrictions.
The Treasury-backed Gowers report recently recommended legalising copying music between CDs, computers and MP3 players and legislators are considering a change.
The Association of Independent Music acknowledged the practice was commonplace but said there was no need to change the law. It said it would complain about the move to the European Commission as it believes international agreements would be breached.
Alison Wenham, head of the association, said the change would "opens the floodgates" for copyright abuse and damage publishers and artists in all genres.
"The report is tidying up a small area of law but ducks the real issue about how to remunerate rights' owners," she commented. "This will harm creative industries forever by establishing the notion that music is free.
The association will publish its own paper, titled Copyright in the Digital Age, with alternative suggestions, in coming weeks.
The Treasury-backed Gowers report recently recommended legalising copying music between CDs, computers and MP3 players and legislators are considering a change.
The Association of Independent Music acknowledged the practice was commonplace but said there was no need to change the law. It said it would complain about the move to the European Commission as it believes international agreements would be breached.
Alison Wenham, head of the association, said the change would "opens the floodgates" for copyright abuse and damage publishers and artists in all genres.
"The report is tidying up a small area of law but ducks the real issue about how to remunerate rights' owners," she commented. "This will harm creative industries forever by establishing the notion that music is free.
The association will publish its own paper, titled Copyright in the Digital Age, with alternative suggestions, in coming weeks.
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