Counterfeit CD. Artists, Musicians, Performers, Publishers and Producers Welcome EU Decision on Copyright Term Extension
FPI today responds to new figures released by the European Commission showing customs seizures of illegal and counterfeit goods at the EU's external borders in 2008.
The figures highlight that CD piracy is still a problem even in developed markets. While online piracy often claims a higher profile, the report shows that vast numbers of counterfeit CDs are still being imported into Europe from China. The clandestine manufacture, international distribution and sale of counterfeit CDs remains a huge problem for copyright holders.
Record companies invest around 20 per cent of their revenues in discovering and nurturing new acts, so such international piracy means there is less money available to give new artists the break they so desperately need. That is why we applaud the work being done by law enforcement agencies to try and stem the flood of illegal imports into Europe.
Artists, musicians, performers, publishers and producers welcome EU decision on copyright term extension
Brussels, 12th September 2011
Today, the EU Council of Ministers adopted the Commission and European Parliament Directive to extend the term of protection for sound recordings in the EU from 50 to 70 years. This ensures that the sound recordings will be protected for at least the life of the artist, will generate new revenues for music performers and will help publishers and producers to continue to compete globally.
AEPO-ARTIS, FIM, GIART, ICMP, IFPI and IMPALA, which represent all the facets of the music sector in Europe, warmly welcome this decision by EU Member States and applaud the Polish Presidency and supporting Member States for their commitment to this initiative. We also thank the European Commission and European Parliament for their vision and support.
Over 38,000 artists and musicians signed a petition in favour of term extension, acknowledging the positive impact it will have on the sector. The proposal narrows the copyright protection gap with other sectors and regions of the world and strengthens Europe's ability to compete internationally
Term extension highlights the important role of artists, musicians, performers, publishers and producers, and will also provide additional funding to be re-invested in new talent.
For more information, please contact:
AEPO-ARTIS (www.aepo-artis.org) +32 (0)2 280 1934
AEPO-ARTIS represents 28 European performers' collective management societies in both the audio and audiovisual sectors from 22 countries in Europe.
In most countries performers' rights are collectively managed for both performers who are members and those who are not members of the collecting societies. Thus globally, the number of performers represented by the 28 member organisations of AEPO-ARTIS can be estimated between 400,000 and 500,000.
FIM (www.fim-musicians.com) +33 14526 3123
The International Federation of Musicians, founded in 1948, is the international organisation for musicians' unions, guilds and professional associations and is now counting about 65 members in 57 countries throughout the world.
The Federation's main objective is to protect and further the economic, social and artistic interests of musicians represented by its member unions.
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