INTERNATIONAL MUSIC INDUSTRY WELCOMES NEW UK ANTI-PIRACY LAW AND CALLS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW SUIT

LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ RIAA) - The international music industry today called for governments to take decisive legislative action to curb digital piracy following the passing of the landmark Digital Economy Act in the UK. IFPI, representing around 1400 major and independent record companies worldwide, said the newly-adopted UK legislation, requiring measures from ISPs to curb piracy on their networks, sets a powerful example to other countries.

IFPI chairman John Kennedy said: 'The passing of the Digital Economy Act in the UK recognises that if a country is to have world-class creative industries, then it also needs laws that will effectively protect their rights from the crippling problem of digital piracy.

'The new UK legislation is a decisive step towards dealing with P2P and other forms of illegal distribution in a way that can substantially reduce the problem. Most importantly, it recognises that internet service providers have an essential role to play in curbing online piracy and reducing infringements on their networks.

'The move by the UK creates momentum for the graduated response approach to tackling piracy internationally. Governments increasingly understand that, in the digital economy, creative industries like music, film, books and games can drive growth and jobs for many years to come if they are provided with the right legal environment and with a modern system of enforcement in which ISPs actively cooperate.

'The UK has today joined the ranks of those countries who have taken decisive and well-considered steps to address the issue. We hope this will prompt more focus and urgency for similar measures in other countries where debate is underway.'