News Burst: EU accused of music copyright bias

European Union copyright policy on the Net is being unfairly influenced by the big five media companies, according to a consortium of leading Internet entrepreneurs. On Tuesday one member accused the EU of indirectly funding the music industry's controversial Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI).

According to media management consultant David Philipson, EU money given to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has found its way into SDMI coffers. Philipson accuses EU policy-makers of being in the pocket of the "big five" (BMG, EMI, Polygram, Time Warner and Sony), and claims the EU's proposed copyright directive will provide the legal framework for SDMI.

See full story.