PRESS
RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL RECORDING
INDUSTRY WELCOMES GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT IN FRANCE TO HELP IN THE
FIGHT AGAINST INTERNET PIRACY
The
accord backed by French President Sarkozy has been signed in Paris
today by music and audiovisual producers, internet service providers
and public authorities
London/Brussels, 23rd
November 2007 – The international recording industry
today welcomed a groundbreaking agreement in France which is intended
to help in the fight against massive internet music piracy. This
agreement provides for the setting up of an independent government body
which will operate a system of warnings leading to the suspension or
termination of internet subscriptions used for illegal file-sharing.
The
Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Paris today by music producers,
audiovisual producers, internet service providers and public
authorities, involves concrete undertakings by all of the signatories.
The agreement is the result of a wide-ranging negotiation on the fight
against internet piracy and availability of creative content online,
carried out by FNAC Chief Executive Officer, Denis Olivennes, at the
request of the French Government.
John
Kennedy, Chairman & CEO of IFPI, the organization
representing the recording industry worldwide, said: “This is the
single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy
that we have seen so far. President Sarkozy has shown leadership
and vision. He has recognized the importance that the creative
industries play in contemporary western economies. The winners
will be French music, French employees and French music fans. By
requiring ISPs to play a role in the fight against piracy, President
Sarkozy has set an example to others of how to ensure that the creative
industries remain strong in difficult markets so that they can remain
major economic and cultural contributors to society.
“It was
an inspired idea of the President to appoint Denis Olivennes to try and
find a solution to these problems. The mission was accomplished
speedily, with a minimum of fuss, with proper consultation and most
importantly of all, decisively. By ensuring that all parties
compromised their positions, Monsieur Olivennes has laid the foundation
for a major lasting contribution to French culture and the French
economy.”
Under
the terms of the agreement, access providers have committed to
experimenting with technologies to filter out infringing content on
their networks. Record producers have undertaken to make a special
effort in favor of interoperability, particularly with regard to music
catalogue produced in France. The independent government body will
publish monthly the results of its anti-piracy actions so the
effectiveness of the measures can be assessed.
- Ends -
For further information,
please contact:
Francine
Cunningham, IFPI Regional
Office for Europe
Tel:
+32 (0)2 511 92 08
About IFPI
IFPI is
the organization that promotes the interests of the international
recording industry worldwide. Its membership comprises some 1,400 major
and independent companies in more than 75 countries. It also has
affiliated industry national groups in 49 countries. IFPI’s mission is
to promote the value of recorded music, safeguard the rights of record
producers and expand the commercial uses of recorded music in all
markets where its members operate.
