Recording Industry applauds launch of negotiations aimed at producing new enforcement agreement

Brussels, 23rd October 2007

IFPI warmly welcomed today’s announcement by EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, that the EU, US, Japan and Switzerland are launching negotiations towards a new agreement to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Music is one of the world’s most pirated products and this illegal activity has a devastating impact on jobs, economic growth and creativity. Nearly one in three music discs sold worldwide is pirate and around 20 billion songs are illegally downloaded via peer-to-peer networks annually. Frances Moore, IFPI’s Executive Vice-President, said: “The recording industry commends Commissioner Mandelson for this new initiative which will send a strong message that intellectual property is one of Europe’s most valuable assets. We are looking to the EU and its partners to make the fight against internet piracy a top priority.”

Piracy today is a truly global phenomenon that crosses all international borders. Yet enforcement has long been the weak link in the fight against both physical and internet piracy. It is particularly important, therefore, that the new negotiations are aimed at enhancing international cooperation to tackle this illegal activity, including commitments to undertake joint enforcement actions. Rightholders are committed to working with the EU and its trading partners on the details of this agreement, to improve the legal framework and ensure that industry and enforcement authorities have the most up-to-date tools fight piracy. The recording industry also calls on other countries, which share this high level of commitment to strengthen the enforcement on intellectual property rights, to join these negotiations.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About IFPI

IFPI is the organisation 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.