My first blog post is about the music industry's lobby campaigns to enforce copyright protection of digital content. The music industry has spent "tens of millions of dollars… during the past decade" to engage governments worldwide in putting up a legal framework to protect intellectual property. Bruce Gain (2011). The United States Secretary of the Senate Office of Public Records (SOPR) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have spent over "$90 million in lobbying efforts in the U.S. alone since 2000." Bruce Gain (2011). When the revenue in CD sales began to decline in 2000, the organizations spent $4 million in lobbying. As the problem became bigger and bigger, spending went up to $17.5 million in 2009. (According to the center for Responsive Politics) Additionally, the recording industry has also spent more than $50 million in "legal fees for the industry's lawsuit campaign." Bruce Gain (2011).
David Levinthal, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics says: "The music industry is spending more than other media groups". Bruce Gain (2011). The motion picture industry e.g. spent less than half in lobbying and was also suffering from Internet piracy since 2000. I think spending in lobbying will increase for media industries such as print media (books and newspapers) or the film industry. Due to the progress of the web and its speed, we'll see new challenges in terms of intellectual property protection for these industries in the next years.
The music industry is also active in Europe to influence "digital file protection laws". Bruce Gain (2011). In France and United Kingdom, Internet access can be suspended easily, if the consumer violates copyright law. The government in France has already sent out letters to alleged infringers with the intention to warn them about the consequences.
In the United States, legislation such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Copyright Term Extension Act were "drafted prior to 2000" and since that time the music industry still waits for an absolute removal of all copyright protected music on the Internet. Bruce Gain (2011). Adrian Strain, director of communication at International Federation of the Phonographic Music (IFPI) says: “The music industry is responding to the digital environment in three basic ways: licensing repertoire in new ways that respond to what the consumer wants, public education to explain copyright laws and highlight legal services, and copyright enforcement to protect our rights.” Further he continues: “Our digital business is way ahead of other creative industries, with 30 percent of music sales coming from digital channels,” Strain said. “But none of this commercial activity and innovation can succeed unless there is proper protection of music rights and effective intellectual property enforcement.” Bruce Gain (2011).
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