IFPI appoints Shira Perlmutter to head Global Legal Policy

LONDON, UK (IFPI) - Shira Perlmutter, one of the media industry's leading intellectual property policy experts, is to join IFPI as Executive Vice-President Global Legal Policy. She reports to Chairman and CEO John Kennedy and will oversee IFPI's legal policy issues globally.

Shira Perlmutter has worked as an intellectual property lawyer for more than 20 years, holding senior positions in industry, in the US Copyright Office and international agencies, and in academia and private practice.

Most recently, she was Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Time Warner in New York, a position she held since 2000. Her career also includes serving as a key negotiator for the US government in the landmark 1996 WIPO Internet Treaties, and acting as consultant to WIPO on copyright and electronic commerce.

At IFPI she will coordinate the recording industry's legal policy strategy internationally, working with governments, lawmakers, other industries, and international organisations on a range of copyright issues, including legislation, international treaties and inter-governmental discussions.

IFPI Chairman and CEO John Kennedy said: "Legal policy is one of the top priority areas in IFPI's working agenda, and I am delighted that we have found in Shira Perlmutter such an internationally-accredited intellectual property expert to fill this position. She will be a global advocate to governments and lawmakers for the strong intellectual property protection on which the recording industry depends."

Shira Perlmutter said: "I look forward to working in such an interesting and creative industry, and helping to address the many complex issues involved in protecting music in today's technological and political environment."
For further information please contact Fiona Harley at IFPI Communications on tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900.