The stability of the UK’s copyright framework is to thank for the music industry’s return to growth in 2013, the BPI’s chief executive has said.
Geoff Taylor, head of the organisation, made the comments during a presentation at the Westminster Media Forum's Next Steps for the UK music industry session.
He said that while ten years ago commentators discussed the demise of the music business, recent BPI figures show that the future is looking very positive with the UK’s strong copyright framework being a key driver behind growth.
According to the BPI, 2013’s total music industry revenues reached £730.4m - up from £716.8m seen during 2012 with digital music sales accounting for more than half of all music industry trade revenues.
Geoff said: ‘This is a significant moment. When your digital revenues are higher than your physical decline, you are a growing business’.
He listed ten reasons behind the change with the UK’s strong copyright infrastructure integral to the positive news for the business. Geoff explained that this framework has led to higher investment in the UK’s music industry because of the stability and confidence it affords.
Other facts support the UK’s role as a leader when protecting copyright - the UK has 70 licensed digital services - more than any other country - while 25 major piracy sites have been blocked. The BPI has also sent 52m take down notices to Google requesting the search engine remove links pointing to illegal content.
Alongside copyright, Geoff cited the innovative range of music services and the role of online intermediaries such as PayPal and City of London Police in supporting growth.
In a later presentation, France Lowe, head of legal, policy and public affairs at PRS for Music, discussed the role of the collecting society in protecting copyright and offering effective licensing.
She described how the online landscape of the music industry may be in ‘constant evolution’, but ‘PRS for Music is continuing to adapt to develop new licensing solutions and provide links between music creators and music users’.
Frances described how the UK collecting society is continuing to work with fellow organisations GEMA and STIM on simplifying both national and pan-European music rights licensing and processing.
Geoff Taylor, head of the organisation, made the comments during a presentation at the Westminster Media Forum's Next Steps for the UK music industry session.
He said that while ten years ago commentators discussed the demise of the music business, recent BPI figures show that the future is looking very positive with the UK’s strong copyright framework being a key driver behind growth.
According to the BPI, 2013’s total music industry revenues reached £730.4m - up from £716.8m seen during 2012 with digital music sales accounting for more than half of all music industry trade revenues.
Geoff said: ‘This is a significant moment. When your digital revenues are higher than your physical decline, you are a growing business’.
He listed ten reasons behind the change with the UK’s strong copyright infrastructure integral to the positive news for the business. Geoff explained that this framework has led to higher investment in the UK’s music industry because of the stability and confidence it affords.
Other facts support the UK’s role as a leader when protecting copyright - the UK has 70 licensed digital services - more than any other country - while 25 major piracy sites have been blocked. The BPI has also sent 52m take down notices to Google requesting the search engine remove links pointing to illegal content.
Alongside copyright, Geoff cited the innovative range of music services and the role of online intermediaries such as PayPal and City of London Police in supporting growth.
In a later presentation, France Lowe, head of legal, policy and public affairs at PRS for Music, discussed the role of the collecting society in protecting copyright and offering effective licensing.
She described how the online landscape of the music industry may be in ‘constant evolution’, but ‘PRS for Music is continuing to adapt to develop new licensing solutions and provide links between music creators and music users’.
Frances described how the UK collecting society is continuing to work with fellow organisations GEMA and STIM on simplifying both national and pan-European music rights licensing and processing.
