British Government Rejects Extended Copyright Term
Officials in the United Kingdom have decided not to support extended copyright terms for recording artists, which it categorized as “consumer-unfriendly.” Not surprisingly, the decision has caused an uproar by industry groups led by label association BPI, as well as AIM and IFPI.
In its 18-page opinion, the British Department of Culture, Media and Sport noted that many recording copyrights eventually revert to labels. “An extension would not benefit the majority of performers, most of whom have contractual relationships requiring their royalties be paid back to the record label,” the report stated.
In the United States, musicians enjoy copyright terms on sound recordings of 95 years or more, and countries like Australia and Mexico offer a 70-year term.
