IFPI Press Release, February 9, 1999

Artists and Rightholder Groups Urge European Parliament to
Support Amendments Tabled by Legal Affairs Committee

Strasbourg, February 9, 1999

A group of artists, producers and publishers in Europe today called on the European Parliament to support key amendments to the draft EU Copyright Directive and thus help create a legitimate environment for works to be distributed in the age of the Internet. An alliance representing artists, producers, composers end publishers in the sectors of music and acting were joined by leading European artists including Jean-Michel Jarre, the Corrs, Marie Farantouri and Claudia Cardinale. They spoke out on the need for a strong Copyright Directive at a press conference held by the rightholders organizations ARTIS, GESAC, ICMP and IFPI.

The draft EU Copyright Directive, aimed at aligning copyright legislation to the technologies of the digital era, was proposed by the European Commission in December 1997. The Directive is required for the EU to implement the international (WIPO) Copyright Treaties concluded in Geneva in 1996.

Three committees of the Parliament, including the lead Legal Affairs Committee, in January adopted a number of important amendments which are needed to help develop a legitimate on-line market in creative works. The plenary session of the Parliament is scheduled to vote on the proposed amendments on February 10.

Speaking in advance of the vote, Jean-Michel Jarre said "The Legal Affairs Committee took the right step to improve this vital copyright legislation. Artists are now looking for their amendments to be adopted. A strong Directive will bring cultural works closer to everyone. We want to provide access to our works on the Internet -- not to lock them up.

"This vote will help decide whether artists, producers and publishers and all who depend on creativity for their livelihood, will have the freedom to choose what they want done with their works in the digital era. The vote is vital for all creators -- it is just as essential to the emerging artist as it is to the established one".

Jarre and the Irish best-selling band the Corrs are among 600 recording artists in Europe who have signed an artists' Petition calling on the Parliament to "Take a Stand for Creativity -- Take a Stand for Copyright."

The four rightholders organizations are part of a coalition of 26 organizations, the Rightholders Coalition. The Coalition represents composers, artists, authors, publishers and producers in the audiovisual, music, publishing, computer software, scientific research, newspapers and magazines, literary works, graphic and plastics sectors.

The rightholder groups and artists issued specific comments on the key amendments at the European Parliament on Tuesday. They also issued to MEPs a statement of "Six Key Truths" about Copyright and the Internet.

For further information contact:
Hanne Thorboll: 00 322 511 9208 Adrian Strain: 44 171 878 7939