More than 4500 recording artists have put their name to a newspaper advert in today's Financial Times opposing Gowers' recommendation that the recorded copyright should stay at fifty years. This is the previously reported PPL initiative to show that the artist community do back the more corporate end of the industry on this issue (as well they would, given individual artists probably have more to lose when their copyrights expire). Among the signatories are Cliff Richard, Katie Melua, Paul McCartney and U2.
Explaining the rationale for the ad, PPL Director Of Performer Affairs Keith Harris told CMU: "These [Gowers' proposals] are just recommendations. Performers are angry that their very real concerns about copyright term are not being taken seriously and that is why they have taken this unprecedented step with this advertisement. Extending copyright term is not just about superstars demanding special treatment as it is sometimes portrayed, it is about performers at all levels - many of them barely earning a living wage - being treated fairly under the law. It is simply not acceptable that within his or her own lifetime a musician can have their work taken off them and exploited without them receiving anything in return. The Gowers Review is just one input into this debate. Musicians are determined to take their fight all the way".
Presumably the artist community picked the FT because they hope politicians, especially in the Treasury, will take notice, though to be honest, if they wanted to get to reach the average minister I can't help thinking an ad in The Sun or Daily Mail might have had a bigger impact.