Continental campaign on the cards for copyright lobby.

With the Government abiding by Gowers, copyright fight moves abroad

by Robert Ashton

Germany, France or one other European country may now hold the key to extending copyright term after the UK Government slammed the door on the music industry's arguments here.

The Government's decision to stick with the findings of the Gowers Review - and refusal to accept the DCMS Select Committee's recommendation to extend copyright to "at least 70 years" - has effectively ended the industry's fight in the UK. But executives and lobbyists are adamant there is still a battle to be had - and an argument to be won. The term campaign will now set up camp in Brussels.

One lobbyist says, "In terms of domestic lobbying the door has been slammed shut. The fight is still there, though, but it is now at a European level."

Another added, "One has to recognise when one has come to the end of the line of a particular argument. We will still talk to the Government on other issues, but there is no point now hammering on about copyright extension."

The industry has been lobbying in Brussels and throughout Europe already. Since Gowers reported in December 2006, the industry knew it had an uphill struggle on its hands to persuade the UK Government of the merits of copyright term extension beyond 50 years. Wisely, lobbyists and executives such as IFPI chairman and CEO John Kennedy and PPL director of government relations Dominic McGonigal have been regularly flitting across the Channel to meet EC officials, while continuing a dialogue with ministers and policy officials back home. Eurostar bookings are expected to increase in the next few weeks and months as the lobbying efforts are stepped up a gear.