BPI asks the next Government to provide certainty and a stable legal environment for copyright industries

The UK has a strong copyright regime. It is essential that this remains stable and the framework is not re-opened in the event of the UK leaving the European Union. The UK should bring forward measures to resolve the value gap in the UK and should ensure that the UK regime is an environment that will encourage investment in new recordings.

The Online Harms White Paper should lead to measures in a regulatory regime where rights owners, platforms, search engines and online marketplaces work closely together to reduce the economic harm caused by illegal content. Measures to reduce the costs and time taken blocking illegal websites through administrative measures would greatly benefit companies and artists. Small companies would for the first time be able to enforce their rights and site blocking can be done quickly and at scale, to choke off pirate sites before they build popularity.

Trade agreements need to protect the UK’s creative industries

If any trade agreements follow as a result of the future arrangements between the UK and the EU, it is essential that trade deals maintain a strong copyright regime. It is critical to resist “fair use” rules such as those found in the USA.

BPI would like commitments to reciprocal arrangements on EU visa free travel

Reciprocal arrangements on visa free travel, including for work purposes, would ensure musicians will be able to work, tour and collaborate across the EU.

BPI’s music labels need to be able to export and import physical product

Physical product needs to be able to flow between the UK and the EU without hold ups or additional costs

Targeted tax policies would boost UK investment in creativity

Extending the successful creative production tax credits to recorded music would boost domestic investment, bring inward investment from artists recording here and boost our studio and electronics businesses. The UK must be internationally competitive as a place to invest and record.

A Music Export strategy would ensure the UK takes full advantage of rapid growth in developing markets

The Music Export Growth Scheme has been very successful in supporting early stage careers and helping independent UK artists promote their music overseas. The Government should now examine what additional steps it can take to support breaking artists with the high costs of travel/visas and help them get quickly to overseas markets.

Measures are needed to address inequalities in music education

State schools overall have seen a 21% decrease in music provision over the past 5 years, compared to a net increase of 7% in independent schools. We need to reverse this trend and improve opportunities for children from all backgrounds to make music.