The Stage

Burnham hints at softer line on copyright extension

Published Tuesday 10 June 2008 at 15:05 by Lalayn Baluch

Culture secretary Andy Burnham has pledged to “engage constructively” with the music industry later this year in negotiations over whether to extend the copyright on sound recordings from 50 to 95 years.

Campaigners, including Cliff Richard, have urged the government to extend the amount of time musicians can receive royalties from the performance of their work. Richard - whose first song was recorded in 1958 - will begin to lose copyright protection on some of his music from this year, while the Beatles’ surviving members will be in the same situation from 2012.

Until now, the government has said that there is no economic justification for the extension to 95 years for performers - the amount of time for which music writers are currently covered.

But speaking at the annual general meeting of collecting agency Phonographic Performance Ltd, Burnham said: “It is true that there is often a peak of creativity when musicians are in their twenties and thirties. So therefore it follows that the 50-year term means that they will run out just when people are hitting the point in their lives when they need that extra bit of support.

“So obviously there is an argument on both sides. There is a case that can be made for copyright to provide fair reward to all contributors, composers lyricists, producers and musicians.”

His comments, while stopping short of endorsing an extension, echo the argument originally used by Charles McCreevy, EU internal market commissioner, in February when he vowed to fight for the extension. McCreevy said that poor artists, particularly “anonymous session musicians”, with no pensions needed the money from royalties to survive as they got older.

McCreevy’s proposals are due to be published later this summer, and Burnham vowed to enter discussions about the issue, particularly on behalf of “session musicians who need to be supported and helped throughout their careers and afterwards”.

Meanwhile, the culture secretary also said a balanced solution needs to be found “as a matter of urgency” to address the illegal downloading of music.

He said the government would consider legalisation to enforce rules if a voluntary solution was not found.

Burnham added: “It is a personal priority for me to help us collectively find solutions that enable us to enjoy the benefits of new technologies, in terms of spreading interest in music, but at the same time give us a flourishing and vibrant music industry that will be successful in the future. That is what I want to achieve while I’m in this job.”