Some of the Featured Artist Coalition's higher profile members have been talking to the BBC about their opposition to those government plans to ramp up measures to combat illegal file-sharing. As previously reported, despite being rather non-committal on forcing internet service providers to penalise persistent file-sharers in their 'Digital Britain' report earlier this year, the UK government is now talking tougher on the issue, putting the possibility of a 'three-strikes' style system, which could lead to some file-sharers having their net connections suspended, very much on the agenda.
The Featured Artist Coalition has taken a different viewpoint to many other music business trade bodies on this issue since its formal launch earlier this year, and last week they issued a joint statement with the Music Producers' Guild and the British Academy Of Songwriters, Composers And Authors speaking out against plans that could lead to music fans losing their net connections, even just for a short period of time.
Expanding on the issue, FAC board member and Blur man Dave Rowntree told the BBC: "We don't want to make enemies of our fans. The sensible thing to do is to try to see how we can monetise all this file-sharing activity, which is evidence of a lot of interest in music".
Another FAC director, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, says his key objection to the government's proposals, which are supported by many on the business side of the record industry, is that they simply won't work. He says: "It won't work. It's as simple as that. I was talking to a serial file-sharer the other day who is a friend. He downloads films and he hasn't paid for music for six years. I asked his opinion of it and he laughed. He said, 'even if they cut me off I'll still be able to do it'. It's something you do not want to take on, so move on".
That other FAC man Billy Bragg, adds: "We're concerned that, in an age where there is much greater competition for attention, these proposals are in danger of driving young people away from the idea of listening to music. As musicians, we're worried about that". Noting that some people had discovered his music for the first time through P2P file-sharing, and had then bought gig tickets or merchandise, Bragg continued: "We should be encouraging people to become music fans, and whether we like it or not, illicit downloading does encourage people to become music fans".
The Music Managers Forum, who work closely with the FAC of course, have also been critical of the government's new view on the P2P file-sharing issue. In an interview with MusicTank, MMF boss John Webster expressed similar views to O'Brien - that basically the proposals being considered simply won't have any major impact on file-sharing.
He said: "The technology develops so fast that, by the time OfCom come up with something about what they are going to implement, then go through consultation, draw up legislation and then comes into effect, it'll make no difference, social change comes so fast that people will be consuming music in different ways, the legislation won't be relevant. It's all just PR for them at this moment in time. I remember when I was at the BPI a few years ago, they laughed at the idea of a celestial jukebox - we have that now in Spotify - that just goes to show how quickly these things move".
Webster wants all interested parties to get round a table to discuss the issue further, rather than allowing those in the record industry who support the government's latest proposals to get their way. And that, he reckons, should include the internet service providers who, of course, hate the idea of having to suspend their customer's net access over copyright infringement issues. He notes: "The time that the ISPs did come and talk to UK Music was very productive and I believe that they've asked for another meeting again and I think we should have it. We have to involve them".
You can read the full interview with Webbo here.