Cisac sees Howells rap industry over copyright. (News).

Government minister Kim Howells has told the music industry it is not doing enough to convince the public that revenues from copyright go to artists and do not just "line the pockets of big business".

Howells, whose brief covers film, tourism and broadcasting, told the opening day's 43rd Cisac World Congress last Monday that the music business had to be more pro-active in promoting to consumers the importance of copyright.

"In particular, there is a need for the industry to make it crystal clear how the money from CDs, DVDs and so on goes to benefit creators and future creativity, and not just to line the pockets of big business," he told the conference at London's QEII Conference Centre.

"There is a role for the industries themselves to better explain who they are and what they do, otherwise this perception that the industry is run by profiteering fat cats will continue."

Howells, who stepped in to speak after culture secretary Tessa Jowell pulled out because of "Government commitments", used the conference to announce officially the appointment of Stephen Navin as music industry adviser to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. He also announced the introduction of citizenship packs into secondary schools, which include education on intellectual property, and highlighted the recent work of MCPS/PRS in creating an online license for composer and publisher rights.

Howells told delegates, "The creative industries must continue to invest in new technologies and develop new marketing strategies. Without ...