Two years ago, copyright extension in the UK was shot down. Now copyright extension is not only back in the spot light for the British, but it is also drawing concern for digital rights activists as well.
Last time British copyright extension was brought up, the worry was how songs like those produced by the Beatles would fall into the public domain starting at 2012. There was concern, by some, that artists would be at a competitive disadvantage because American copyright laws for sound recordings if far longer then that of their British counterparts.
While the proposal to extend copyright laws in the UK two years ago has been shot down, it may not come to a surprise to some to see the issue brought up again now. It is expected that the Sound Recordings Bill will be into it’s second reading early next month. The Open Rights Group, a UK-based group of people who aims to preserve digital rights (citation) is urging British citizens to act or risk having the bill go through the Commons without debate.
“It is vital that you write to your MP now to ask him or her to attend the Commons on 7 March and stand up and object to this Bill.” Becky writes, “If you don’t the Bill is likely to pass through to committee stage without debate.”
She adds, “What can you say to persuade your MP to show up to the Commons on a Friday? Perhaps you might point out that all the economic evidence points against term extension. Or that every other UK citizen is expected to contribute to their pension out of income earned in their working life. Or that retrospectively extending copyright term won’t encourage Elvis Presley to record any more new tracks. Or that if governments continue to draft intellectual property legislation on behalf of special interest groups, it will only further erode the respect that ordinary citizens have for the letter of the law.”
Open Rights Group offers reading materials, among other things, they say would be helpful in making pitches to MPs. They include a reading package (PDF) as well as a letter writing guide.
“And as for the European front, expect news very soon of how you can get your voice heard as an EU citizen. Together, we can stop copyright term extension, but only if we take action!” She said.
Related Posts
- British Copyright Term Extension Bill Delayed
- British Government Announces Support for Copyright Term Extension
- British Top Legal Advisers – Copyright Term Extension is Bad
- European Anti-Copyright Extension Petition Gathers Momentum
- Exclusive: ZeroPaid Interviews Open Rights Group
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I am amazed how zealous you are to cut off the income to musicians and artists for work that has been and will be used and heard by millions of people. There is no correlation between a state pension and the rights of performers and you are foolish to equate the two. In this age where people look upon music as ‘free,’ every effort should be made to put a value, and a long lasting value, on the work of talented people who give so many so much pleasure.
Vic
And I can’t believe the zealots who are behind the protection of musitian rights. We already have them protected by the letter of law for FIFTY years. How much longer would you want them protected? HUNDRED years? FIVE HUNDRED years? Too bad most people don’t live past 80 years to reap the rewards of their work for that long. But guess who does – yes… special interests that already take the most of the profits.
So seriously, stop feeding BS about poor musicians that are starving and absolutely need their protection extended for ever.
J
I wonder if after you bought and paid for your house anyone could walk in and decide they now own it ,as you have had it for 50 years.This to me is this law is doing to our royalties
Dear John Emar,
Would I be correct in thinking you have a job?
Perhaps benefits, pension, paid vacations etc?
Royalties are the ‘pension’ for those who worked for BASIC pay.
Get real son
L