Comment by Jay Berman on today's European Parliament vote on the Copyright Directive

Strasbourg, February 14, 200

Jay Berman, Chairman and CEO of IFPI, said:

"We feel that this is a workable proposal. There are enough elements here for the music industry to speed up the offering of music to consumers in a wider range of ways.

"The Directive recognises that copyright is an essential part of the Information Society.

"We appreciate all the work the European Parliament has put into making it possible for our companies to do business. This will be to the benefit of artists and consumers alike."

IFPI is the organisation representing the recording industry worldwide. Its members comprise more than 1400 record producers and distributors in over 70 countries.

For further information contact:
Francine Cunningham, IFPI, Mobile tel: +32 478 261995
IFPI European Office tel: +32 (0)2 511 92 08
or IFPI Communications Department, +44 20 7878 7900