International music industry welcomes new UK anti-piracy law and calls for other countries to follow suit

London, 8th April, 2010

The international music industry today called for governments to take decisive legislative action to curb digital piracy following the passing of the landmark Digital Economy Act in the UK.

IFPI, representing around 1400 major and independent record companies worldwide, said the newly-adopted UK legislation, requiring measures from ISPs to curb piracy on their networks, sets a powerful example to other countries.

IFPI chairman John Kennedy said: "The passing of the Digital Economy Act in the UK recognises that if a country is to have world-class creative industries, then it also needs laws that will effectively protect their rights from the crippling problem of digital piracy.

"The new UK legislation is a decisive step towards dealing with P2P and other forms of illegal distribution in a way that can substantially reduce the problem. Most importantly, it recognises that effectively addressing piracy needs active cooperation from internet service providers, in helping curb infringements on their networks.

"The move by the UK creates momentum for the graduated response approach to tackling piracy internationally. Governments increasingly understand that, in the digital economy, creative industries like music, film, books and games can drive growth and jobs for many years to come if they are provided with the right legal environment and with a modern system of enforcement in which ISPs actively cooperate.

"The UK has today joined the ranks of those countries who have taken decisive and well-considered steps to address the issue. We hope this will prompt more focus and urgency for similar measures in other countries where debate is underway."

Notes to Editors

1. The Digital Economy Act introduces a graduated response system, by which ISPs will write education and warning letters to copyright infringers, with the prospect of technical measures, such as temporary account suspension, being used as a sanction in response to subsequent repeat infringement. For further details and the response of the UK music industry, see the press release issued today by the BPI on behalf of UK music labels - www.bpi.co.uk.

2. Several Governments, including the UK, have proposed or adopted legislation introducing a graduated response system for ISPs. In France, the "Hadopi" law including temporary account suspension for repeat infringers is expected to come into force later this year. Measures have also been introduced in Korea and Taiwan and have been proposed by the Government in New Zealand.

3. For further information on the digital music business, including progress by governments internationally to curb piracy, see IFPI's Digital Music Report.

4. IFPI and WIN, representing record labels internationally, last month issued a new report "Investing in Music - how music companies discover, develop and promote talent". Click here for a copy of the report.

5. Creative industries and trade unions internationally have called for firm action by governments on digital piracy. A study by Tera Consultants, released with the support of major trade unions in March 2010, projected the cost of not tackling piracy in Europe at more than 1.2 million lost jobs by 2015. The full study and press release can be found on the websites for BASCAP unions including UNI MEI, FIA and the Musicians Union.

6. The Digital Economy Act has now been published and can be found here.