UK to declare on 70 in term battle.

Government prepares the ground for official position on copyright term extension

By Robert Ashton

The industry's prize of copyright term extension is finally within its grasp as the Government prepares to throw its considerable weight behind the issue in Europe by declaring the official British position - supporting "around 70 years" - within days.

As the European Directive on term reaches its final stages in the European Council and the European Parliament, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham reveals that he and his Government colleagues will shortly present the UK case for term combined with a proposal about how to work the session fund to reward musicians.

The length of term being proposed by Burnham obviously falls short of the 95-year extension suggested by Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy last year and backed by some countries, notably France and Germany.

And some lobbyists believe that pitching 70 years into the debate at this late stage could confuse the issue in Brussels.

However, Burnham says he believes 70 years is the best compromise necessary to ensure the success of the Directive: some of the EC's 27 countries, notably Holland, are taking an anti-term approach. "Essentially countries are polarising. Some are for 95 years, some are not. We feel this compromise moves the issue forward," says Burnham, adding that the UK's position as the biggest music producing country in Europe gives him muscle when he is negotiating with his European counterparts. "I think this is the opportunity for Britain to show leadership and also reconcile the conflicting positions. In Europe people do listen because we do carry considerable weight."