The British government has welcomed the launch of new initiative Creative Content UK to reduce online piracy.
Business and culture secretaries Vince Cable and Sajid Javid both unveiled the new campaign agreed by the UK’s creative industries and internet service providers.
The initiative aims to inform those whose internet connections have been used to illegally share copyright material to raise awareness of the benefits of copyright.
Vince Cable said: ‘The creative industries in the UK are one of our brilliant global success stories. We have unrivalled creativity - from record breaking musicians to box office films - that excite and inspire people all over the world. Yet too often that content is open to abuse by some who don’t play by the rules.
‘That is why we are working with industry to ensure that intellectual property rights are understood and respected. Education is at the heart of this drive so people understand that piracy isn’t a victimless crime - but actually causes business to fail, harms the industry and costs jobs.’
Robert Ashcroft, chief executive at PRS for Music, said: 'We welcome this new partnership between government, the creative industries and ISPs to help consumers access their music safely through licensed sites. Songwriters deserve the right to earn a living from their craft and the vast majority of music lovers would support them in this. Today’s initiative will help reduce inadvertent infringements and help consumers make positive choices about how to enjoy music online, providing a welcome boost to the UK’s important creative sector.'
The education programme is being funded jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Intellectual Property Office.
According to figures quoted by the government, online piracy is estimated to cost the global music industry alone more than £7bn.
Business and culture secretaries Vince Cable and Sajid Javid both unveiled the new campaign agreed by the UK’s creative industries and internet service providers.
The initiative aims to inform those whose internet connections have been used to illegally share copyright material to raise awareness of the benefits of copyright.
Vince Cable said: ‘The creative industries in the UK are one of our brilliant global success stories. We have unrivalled creativity - from record breaking musicians to box office films - that excite and inspire people all over the world. Yet too often that content is open to abuse by some who don’t play by the rules.
‘That is why we are working with industry to ensure that intellectual property rights are understood and respected. Education is at the heart of this drive so people understand that piracy isn’t a victimless crime - but actually causes business to fail, harms the industry and costs jobs.’
Robert Ashcroft, chief executive at PRS for Music, said: 'We welcome this new partnership between government, the creative industries and ISPs to help consumers access their music safely through licensed sites. Songwriters deserve the right to earn a living from their craft and the vast majority of music lovers would support them in this. Today’s initiative will help reduce inadvertent infringements and help consumers make positive choices about how to enjoy music online, providing a welcome boost to the UK’s important creative sector.'
The education programme is being funded jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Intellectual Property Office.
According to figures quoted by the government, online piracy is estimated to cost the global music industry alone more than £7bn.
