MPs have backed industry calls for an extension to the period songs are covered by copyright.

Under current UK law artists' rights to their music expire after 50 years. This means aging artists including Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Cliff Richard will soon lose earnings from their earlier work.

The House of Commons culture committee has now supported the campaign for the period to be extended to at least 70 years. It compared the rule for recording artists with that for songwriters. Their families hold copyright to their work until 70 years after their death.

The committee's report noted: "We have not heard a convincing reason why a composer and his or her heirs should benefit from a term of copyright which extends for lifetime and beyond, but a performer should not.

"Given the strength and importance of the creative industries in the UK, it seems extraordinary that the protection of intellectual property rights should be weaker here than in many other countries whose creative industries are less successful."

Its 18-month inquiry into technology in the creative industries also recommended new anti-piracy moves such as tougher punishment and a law banning recording films with camcorders in cinemas.