Industry expert to Mandelson: legalise it!

TONIGHT Media Futurist Gerd Leonhard, will say that musicians, labels and government need to focus on their wallets rather than technology if they are to save music from the threat of illicit music downloads on the internet.

Speaking ahead of the event, the “Future of Music-Stop disconnection”, Gerd (who advises many of Europe’s top Internet Service Providers) said;

“Music industry lobbyists are saying unpaid downloads are killing our business. In response, the UK government is now considering legislation that would allow people who illicitly download to be disconnected from the Net without a court process.

This leaves many musicians scared and perplexed, some arguing for disconnection, others for their own fans to be restricted to dial up speed internet. Neither will see the artists or labels paid more or the relentless advance of online music sharing halted.”

“Back when Radio was still illegal, the arrival of the PPL and MCPS/PRS collective music licences opened the door for proper payment for music performed in public. We now need the government to legislate for music online, and mandate the creation of a Digital Music License that will put money into the pockets of the creators while giving the consumers what they want, at the same time.”

Notes to editors

• Gerd Leonhard, Media Futurist and Co-Author of “The Future of Music”, Author of “Music 2.0” who advises many of Europe’s top Internet Service Providers and telecoms companies as well as many companies in the content industries (Gerd’s blog is at www.mediafuturist.com)
• Gerd will be speaking at the Stop Disconnection event – http://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2009/stop-mandelsons-disconnection-plans