Recording industry advises large companies how to avoid copyright theft on their computers

February 13, 2003

The recording industry today advised many of the largest companies in Europe and the US how to avoid copyright theft on their computers and networks. Hundreds of companies are being sent a "Copyright Use and Security Guide" asking them to make sure that their computer and internet systems are not used for music piracy.

IFPI, the trade body representing the recording industry worldwide, with the support of its national affiliates in several countries, produced the guide. It calls on companies and governments to advise employees against copyright misuse on computer systems in the workplace, in particular copying and uploading copyright material to the internet without permission from the rights owner. Such unauthorised copying of music and other copyright material is illegal and can tarnish corporate reputations, increase security risks for computer systems and put organisations at risk of legal prosecution.

The guide outlines benefits for companies of cracking down on such misuse of their networks:

• Illegal copying and transmission of copyright material raises security risks from viruses and firewall breaches.
  
  
• Misuse of computer networks wastes time and systems resources.
  
  
• The legal risks include possible injunctions, damages, costs and possible criminal sanctions against the companies and their directors where corporate systems are used for copyright theft.

IFPI, its members and national groups, have discovered companies and government computer systems hosting and uploading databases of music, film and other unauthorised copies of copyright material, or transmitting copyright material on peer-to-peer services. The recording industry has asked companies to check their networks and remove any infringing files and activities found.

Companies could face substantial penalties if convicted of this kind of copyright infringement. In April 2002, Arizona-based Integrated Information Systems Inc paid a US$1million settlement after employees were found accessing and distributing thousands of infringing music files on the company server.

Jay Berman, IFPI chairman and CEO, said: "We want to advise companies and governments about the problem of copyright theft in the workplace and how to implement policies to minimise the risk of this happening over their computer systems. Copyright theft is bad business for everyone."

For further information please contact:
Francine Cunningham, IFPI European Office on Tel: +32 (0)2 511 92 08; or
Adrian Strain, IFPI Secretariat on Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900