Technological developments have led to the creation of a huge variety if ways for fans to get music, from mobile phones through to online radio. Accompanying this, new business models, like subscription, advertising supported services, streaming and device bundling, have been created.
None of this technical innovation would be possible unless music was underpinned by a strong copyright regime. It is the presence of the copyright principles – the right for the creator and owner to be paid, to have choice over use, and to licence copying and distribution – which ensures that creators are rewarded in the digital age. Without these principles there simply would not be a creative economy in the online environment.
However, this is not to say that the copyright regime is perfect. Technical developments do create the need to review and occasionally change the administrative mechanisms which give effect to copyright principles. One example is the ability to format shift CDs on to PCs and then to portable devices. Government issued a consultation on changing the law in this area in April 2008 and we keenly await its response.
In the meantime, Government is also consulting on the future of the copyright regime generally, perhaps with a view to making wider changes. We will be urging government to tread extremely carefully in this area and to ensure that any changes to the administration of copyright do not threaten or undermine the very principles which make the system so effective.