British Music Rights has been instrumental in the creation of today’s groundbreaking agreement between the UK’s record labels and ISPs, and believes it signifies a watershed moment for both our industries. 

Given the inaccuracy of some media speculation, we would like to clarify the following points:
  
• The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a voluntary industry-led approach. The ultimate aim is to unlock the true value of digital music. It is the start of a process, not the end

• The MOU represents a quid pro quo: ISPs have voluntarily agreed to engage and educate their customers about illegal filesharing; record companies have voluntarily agreed to make material available online in a wide range of user-friendly formats

• It makes no mention of a £30 flat tax

• The key purpose of the MOU is as a launch pad to broker new and exciting business models – giving music fans what they want, while ensuring songwriters, composers and artists are paid in full for the use of their work

British Music Rights has always advocated a policy of co-operation over litigation and remains hugely optimistic that the MOU will herald a new era in terms of music consumption.

Feargal Sharkey, CEO of British Music Rights, said: “Make no mistake, this is an incredibly bold move on behalf of both these industries, and signifies, I hope, a realisation that our futures will be increasingly intertwined.

“Our recently-published research, in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, highlighted conclusively the changing nature of young people’s relationship with music. Quite simply, they are screaming out for new kinds of digital services. I am incredibly optimistic that we are now much closer to that goal, and that our creative community of songwriters, composers and artists will be major beneficiaries.”

Sharkey also praised the involvement and influence of Baroness Shriti Vadera, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Competitiveness.

He added: “I have always maintained that a legislative solution to the issue of online copyright infringement, however well meaning, would have been unworkable and unsatisfactory. However, the involvement of government has worked wonders in focusing minds and getting people to the table. For this, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform deserves particular credit.

“Going forward, we would now welcome wholeheartedly the prospect of support from an organisation like Ofcom, and the unparalleled skill and expertise they could bring to forthcoming discussions.”  

- Ends -

For further information, please contact Adam Webb on 020 7306 4447 or 07908 811223 or email adam.webb@bmr.org.
 
www.bmr.org
Notes to Editors:

• British Music Rights was established to promote greater awareness of the interests and concerns of British music composers, songwriters and publishers to UK and EU policymakers and the wider public. The primary focus is to communicate an understanding of the rights and rewards for creativity in the music business; the value of those rights to UK plc; the impact of new technologies upon music creators and publishers and the resulting policy and legislative implications. 
  
• Our member organisations are the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Music Publishers Association, the Performing Right Society and the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society.