British support 70-year copyright terms

The British Government has yielded to European pressure to extend copyright for recorded music, MusicWeek reports. Culture secretary Andy Burnham made a surprise announcement in favor of a 70-year copyright term at a music conference. He said 70 hears is a fair term that will see royalties returned to performers.

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor praised the move:

“Copyright is the lifeblood of our creative economy and we are delighted that the government is recognising this by supporting an extension of copyright term for British musicians and labels. Copyright stimulates investment in musical talent and encourages innovation. Thousands of recording artists, hundreds of music companies and all British music fans will benefit from fairer copyright term”.

There were a bunch of other quotes along the same lines. "The entire music business pulls together. " "Keep British music the best in the world." "Protection should not run out during performer's lifetime."

All this follows EU proposals to increase copyright protetion to 95 years, matching the US position.

Sigh.