[A2k] <no subject>

[John Howkins]

The Finnish Government held a two-day meeting on creativity and copyright on
12-14 July as part of its presidency of the EU.

Two points:

The European broadcasters are opposed to the term extension of music rights.
The EBU says broadcasters would have to carry most of the extra cost.  It
pointed out that the US is not a signatory of the Rome convention and so US
broadcasters do not pay for broadcasting phonograms.  However, under Rome,
if a US rights-owner releases a phonogram in another signatory country
within a specific period then the broadcasters in that country have to pay
fees.  So, suggested the EBU, any extension should be conditional on the US
signing Rome.

And, EMI said the public domain was 'pillage, rape and murder'.  Many people
protested, including Nokia and France Telecom.

John