Daltrey signs for copyright extension

[Brian Cady]

Funny it says Roger and not Pete (!?)
Reuters:
http://tinyurl.com/ub8fo

Cliff and Robbie put names on copyright advert

LONDON (Reuters) - Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams joined thousands of musicians on Thursday in a last-ditch appeal for an extension to copyright on their recordings.

They called for "fair play for musicians" in a full-page advert in the Financial Times containing the names of more than 4,000 performers.

The appeal came a day after a review for the government rejected extending copyright on sound recordings and performers' rights beyond the existing 50 years.

Other stars including Roger Daltrey, Tom Jones and Julie Andrews also lent their names to the advert, which said it had been placed on behalf of more than 3,500 record companies and 40,000 performers.

"We call upon the UK government to support the extension of copyright in sound recordings," they said in their appeal.

Cliff Richard, whose first hit "Move It!" from 1958 is close to the cut-off point for copyright protection, has led the way in highlighting the issue.

Without a change in the law, the Beatles catalogue could be up for grabs from 2012 and 2013, including early hits like "Love Me Do" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand".

In his report on intellectual property, former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers argued the consumer must be protected as well as the artist. He said there was no evidence to show that bands moved to the United States or elsewhere to extend their copyright protection.

The British Phonographic Industry says it will continue to lobby for a copyright extension to 95 years -- the same as in the United States -- noting that the final decision lies with the European Commission.
 
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com


 
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