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Musicians sign copyright advert Musicians sign copyright advert
(about 8 hours later)
More than 4,500 recording artists have signed a newspaper advert calling for an extension of copyright on sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years.More than 4,500 recording artists have signed a newspaper advert calling for an extension of copyright on sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years.
The Financial Times (FT) advertisement follows the government-commissioned Gowers Report, which recommended the protection should not be extended. The Financial Times advertisement follows the government-commissioned Gowers Report, which recommended the protection should not be extended.
The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has campaigned for parity with the US, which has a 95-year limit. The British Phonographic Industry has campaigned for parity with the US, which has a 95-year limit.
Sir Paul McCartney and U2 are among those who signed the advertisement.Sir Paul McCartney and U2 are among those who signed the advertisement.
BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas said the advert, which demands "fair play for musicians", was a last-ditch attempt by thousands of musicians to win a battle they seemed to have lost.BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas said the advert, which demands "fair play for musicians", was a last-ditch attempt by thousands of musicians to win a battle they seemed to have lost.
US extensionUS extension
Signatories include Sir Cliff Richard, Katie Melua and Sir Simon Rattle as well as little-known session singers and orchestral players.Signatories include Sir Cliff Richard, Katie Melua and Sir Simon Rattle as well as little-known session singers and orchestral players.
They say it is not just superstars who would benefit from an extension but performers at all levels.They say it is not just superstars who would benefit from an extension but performers at all levels.
In the US, copyright protection was extended for sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years in 1998.In the US, copyright protection was extended for sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years in 1998.
Andrew Gowers, the former FT editor who led the review, said a change would put up costs while giving little public benefit. Andrew Gowers, the former Financial Times editor who led the review, said a change would put up costs while giving little public benefit.
His report, which looks at modernising UK copyright laws for the digital age, has also caused controversy with another of its recommendations - that private users should be allowed to copy music from a CD to their MP3 player. Although the government could choose to ignore the review, this would bring it into conflict with the European Union, which is already working to harmonise intellectual property laws on the 50 year limit.
The report, which looks at modernising UK copyright laws for the digital age, has also caused controversy with another of its recommendations - that private users should be allowed to copy music from a CD to their MP3 player.
The UK's independent record labels said they feared it would "open the floodgates" to uncontrolled private copying, and sharing from person to personThe UK's independent record labels said they feared it would "open the floodgates" to uncontrolled private copying, and sharing from person to person