The head of a prominent lobby group for the music industry is being touted as a new entrant to the UK’s House of Lords. According to sources close to new Prime Minister David Cameron, UK Music chief Feargal Sharkey is being considered for a life peerage as reward for his efforts in the music industry.
As Feargal Sharkey, head of UK Music, speaks of his confidence that the massively controversial Digital Economy Bill will be passed before the general election, the Open Rights Group has revealed that in the last 3 days more than 10,000 outraged citizens have written to MPs demanding a debate on the issue.
An increasing number of British musicians are making their opinions known on the issue of illicit file-sharing. Despite Peter Mandelson’s proposals which ostensibly support the music industry, musicians are divided. Today it’s the turn of James Blunt, who feels the proposed “disconnection” legislation is critical to the industry’s survival.
New research carried out by the University of Hertfordshire reveals some shocking and some surprising statistics. The survey, carried out on behalf of UK Music, reveals that 61% of 14 to 24 year-olds use file-sharing networks, with each amassing an average of 8,000 tracks on their computers.
Umbrella groups in the UK which represent various parts of the music industry have decided that, in order to win the war on Internet piracy, what they really need is an even bigger umbrella group for all the other umbrella groups to shelter under. That new group, UK Music, is launched today.
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