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![]() AS THE DEBATE HEADS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, A LONG RAMBLE ON COPYRIGHT EXTENSION As previously reported, while the UK government's 2006 Gowers Review of copyright law said there was no case to increase the sound recording copyright, since McCreevy tabled his proposals at a European level Britain's Culture Minister Andy Burnham has said the current cabinet is basically in favour of term extension, though not necessarily as far as 95 years (70 years has been muted as a compromise). And last night Burnham's colleague David Lammy who, as the minister responsible for intellectual property is actually the man in charge of this issue, reaffirmed that commitment in pretty bold terms. "I am hugely sympathetic to the case made by the performer community on this issue," he told the meeting. "The case has been made. The government accepts the case. My job isn't to debate the case for extension, it's to move this debate on from establishing the case to actuality. Opinions on this vary across Europe - so there needs to be some canny footwork to make this happen". So that's the good news, and given there does seem to be some distance between where Burnham and Lammy stand on that other big issue - making ISPs police internet piracy - the music business will be glad to see that Lammy is as supportive on the extension issue as his more cultural colleague. Lammy, though, isn't backing the basic copyright expansion for the good of the 'music business', rather for the musicians and performers who stand to benefit for any increase in copyright term. He was quite bold about that point too: "We are doing this to benefit performers. And that's it, full stop. We're not doing this to benefit the industry. If the industry does benefit as a result, that's great, but that's not our motivation". Now, we should note that last night's meeting was very much focused on individual performers rather than music companies, and Lammy was surrounded by performers as he spoke; four of whom had kicked off the proceedings by explaining how important the modest royalties enjoyed by jobbing musicians are in enabling them to afford to live, especially in their later years when they may not be able to perform so regularly. But Lammy does seem to genuinely care about securing a better copyright deal for musicians, and does seem genuinely ambivalent towards record companies. Of course the record companies, who also quite fancy earning off their recordings for 95 rather than 50 years, have frequently pushed the performer dimension of the copyright extension debate to the foreground, it being easier to feel sorry for session musicians on meagre incomes than for multinational corporations. It's a good strategy, because if Lammy et al do push an extension through for the good of the performers then the record labels will indeed "benefit as a result", and much more so than the performer community who, while due a cut of royalties generated by recordings they were involved in (contractually on all royalties in the case of featured artists, and by statute for all artists in the case of broadcast royalties), in reality earn meagre percentages compared to the labels. The only down side for the labels is that both McCreavy and Lammy are aware of this. The former has, as previously reported, written extra proposals into his copyright extension plan that skew the financial benefits of a longer copyright term slightly more in the performers' direction. Which is all well and good, except it makes the whole thing a lot more complicated than it needs to be. And when you make things complicated on a European level that can add months and sometimes years to the debate. Lammy and his civil service colleague, Ian Fletcher, top man at the UK's IP Office, last night reported that pretty much every country in Europe has a different opinion on quite how the interests of corporates and performers should be balanced in the term extension debate, meaning that getting a pan-European consensus isn't as simple as compromising on a figure somewhere between 50 and 95 and making that the term length. Given that those talks have to be fit in to a crowded European Union diary, and a diary that will get all cluttered up with the big European elections that will take place in June, it could be that general support the "case" for extension takes a very long time to become an "actuality". Which will be irritating for record companies, because really the 'relationship between musicians and copyright law' (which is minimal - performers' only automatic rights being a share of someone else's copyright - ie the recording producer) and the 'term extension proposals' are two separate debates and while the former may strengthen the case for the latter it also makes what should be a simple question to answer - should the copyright on recordings be more than fifty years? - quite a complicated one to tackle. Which means it could be years before the term extension is approved by European types and finally incorporated into UK law. That, in case you wondered, is the bad news. Still, let's not dwell on the challenges to come, and let's instead remember that two years ago British labels and performers were heading to Europe because no one would accept the case (any case) for copyright extension in Whitehall. I think the message to take from last night's meeting in Westminster is that, while Lammy and co may not sympathise much with the labels' extension claims, and may not be especially set on an extension as far as 95 years, they will be telling MEPs and EC officials that the case for performers to receive royalty cheques past fifty years is a given, and that attention should now be put on how to make that happen. Which is, I reckon, a move in the right direction. Well, unless you oppose copyright extension on all levels, in which case I think you lost the debate. -------------------------------------------------- GLASTONBURY SELLS OUT Organiser Emily Eavis told reporters: "We're chuffed to bits that we've managed to sell so many tickets so far ahead, especially when you look at the weather outside. Thanks to everyone for keeping the faith; it's certainly shaping up to be another vintage year for Glastonbury Festival, with a brilliant line up to be unveiled in June". As previously reported, the festival abandoned its normal server- and phone system-crashing mad rush for tickets, and started selling them much earlier than normal. Fans could opt to pay a deposit of £50 when the early bird tickets went on sale. Any tickets that had been held but not fully paid for by Saturday went on sale on Sunday, and it's those that sold out in a speedy fashion. In theory that's all Glasto 09 tickets now sold, though before you start weeping onto your keyboard because you haven't got any, stop. It's dangerous to get electrical items wet. Dry your eyes (and you keyboard - safety first), because there will actually be another set of tickets available later this year. Cancelled tickets will be resold on 5 Apr. -------------------------------------------------- HUDSON PRODUCER DEFENDS SUPER BOWL MIMING I'm not sure I agree with either of those suggestions. The latter certainly, and as for Hudson's special situation, I'm pretty sure people would have been more impressed with a fully live performance, even if Hudson had made a mistake. As it is, it just looks like her people, and perhaps she herself, didn't think she was ready to start singing in public again, which would suggest that she probably shouldn't have. But whatever, here's what Minor had to say: "This was such an important performance, because it's the first time everyone has seen Jennifer [since the murders]. But she's in such a great place, with such great spirits, and time can heal her wounds. She's on fire right now and totally grounded. [Miming was] the right way to do it. There's too many variables to go live. I would never recommend any artist go live, because the slightest glitch would devastate the performance". Despite some media criticism for the miming, Minor says Hudson has had a huge number of calls and messages telling her how good it was. Jamie Foxx apparently sent a text saying: "Amazing. It brought tears to my eyes". Though given the recent tragedies in Hudson's life, her first day back at work would probably have that effect whatever. -------------------------------------------------- NO KIDS, NO SHOW, SAYS BRITNEY It had been reported that Federline, Britney and her father Jamie Spears had been in talks for several weeks trying to reach an agreement over where the children would live during the tour, but these talks were rumoured to have fallen apart. However, a message posted on the singer's website today reads: "Britney is so excited to kick off her tour. She has been enjoying every moment of rehearsals and is looking forward to performing in front of a live audience again. Both Sean Preston and Jayden James will, in fact, be joining Britney throughout the duration of her tour". -------------------------------------------------- U2 VIDEO LEAKS, IS SUCKED BACK UP AGAIN 'Get Your Boots On' is set for release on 16 Feb, with the album 'No Line On The Horizon' following on 27 Feb. The band will also perform the song live at the BRITs on 18 Feb. DUBE SUSPECTS GO ON TRIAL -------------------------------------------------- MEL B SETTLES PATERNITY DISPUTE WITH MURPHY TIM GRUNDY DIES Grundy, son of TV presenter Bill Grundy (he of that infamous Sex Pistols interview on ITV's London local news programme in 1976), joined the Manchester ILR at the bottom of the hierarchy when still in his teens, working his way up the tree to become programming chief. While in charge of the station he oversaw the early career of one Chris Evans, among others. As well as exec roles at Piccadilly and elsewhere, and running his own TV production company, Grundy also had a second career as a presenter himself, both on radio and on TV, perhaps being best known for his 'Two's Country' programme. In 2002 he was involved in the launch of a new radio station, Reading 107, where he also presented the breakfast show. It is unclear how he died, though he did have heart problems, having suffered heart failure in 2006, an incident that led to a 13 day coma. Paying tribute, Henry Matthews, a former Piccadilly Radio colleague of Grundy, told the Manchester Evening News: "I've spoken to a number of former colleagues since hearing the news, and, like me, they have been absolutely shocked and devastated. Tim was a hell of a nice block, a considerate colleague and a nice guy. In the early days he stood in the shadow of his father, but it's testament to his skills and talent that he was able to step out of that shadow. He was an innovative and inventive broadcaster". -------------------------------------------------- PHIL EASTON DIES Easton worked for Radio City on and off for thirty years, presenting various shows and enjoying much popularity around Merseyside. He most recently presented a morning show for City Talk. In the early nineties he worked away from his Liverpool base helping launch Somerset radio station Orchard FM, where he worked in various roles including Head Of Music. Easton died after suffering a heart attack yesterday afternoon. Paying tribute, Radio City Station Director Richard Maddock told reporters: "We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news. Phil was an astounding broadcaster and friend to everyone here at Radio City, Magic and City Talk. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time". HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS SIGN TO WIND-UP Let's hope they don't fall out, given how far reaching that deal seems to be. As much previously reported, Hawthorne Heights fell out big time with their last label Victory Records, hitting out at the rock indie's marketing exploits, and trying to get out of their record deal so they could sign to EMI. But Victory successfully sued to make the band stick to their original contract (and to stop them doing the EMI deal). After much legal wrangling the band and label reached a deal, which resulted in the release of one more album by the band on Victory - 'Fragile Future' - last year. Their first album on Wind-up is expected later this year. -------------------------------------------------- MYSTERY JETS SIGN TO ROUGH TRADE Rough Trade co-founder Geoff Travis told CMU: "The Mystery Jets are in my opinion the best British group since The Libertines and I have been wanting to work with them for a very long time, so I am delighted they have chosen to join the roster". The band are working on their first album for the indie, and will play Shepherd's Bush Empire next week. BRECON FESTIVAL TO TAKE YEAR OFF AS DECISION IS MADE OF NEW PRODUCERS As previously reported, the company who formerly produced the jazz fest went into liquidation last year. The Arts Council invited approaches from companies interested in taking over the running of the popular annual event and four came forward. Two dropped out last week after an Arts Council meeting, which means it is now between the people behind the Hay Festival and a partnership of local businesses. ACE plan to make a decision as to who to give the festival to in April, but say that will be too late for a 2009 event to be viable. The festival will, therefore, take a year off, returning with new promoters in 2010. -------------------------------------------------- BIG NAMES LINE UP FOR BONNAROO It will be Springsteen's only North American festival this year and the newly reunited Phish's only festival, so they're making the most of it by playing two sets at Bonnaroo. Also on the bill are The Mars Volta, MGMT, Animal Collective, Santogold, The Ting Tings, TV On The Radio, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bon Iver, Crystal Castles, Of Montreal, Jenny Lewis, Wilco, Paul Oakenfold, Neko Case, The Decemberists, Erykah Badu, Andrew Bird and more. Bonnaroo takes place in Tennessee between 11-14 Jun. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, with organisers for the first time allowing fans to pay for their tickets in five instalments of $50. ALBUM REVIEW: Grand Duchy - Petits Fours (Cooking Vinyl) GHOST GETS EPIC US Ghost, who has run her own production and publishing company in addition to her performing and songwriting work, told reporters: "I'm very excited to be working with Rob Stringer and joining a label as iconic as Epic. Epic historically has stood for pop music in as broad and exciting a sense as possible". The aforementioned Stringer said this: "I am delighted that Amanda has chosen to bring her creative vision and flair to the Epic label. In the changing environment of the music business, record labels undoubtedly need to be complete partners with the artistic community, and Amanda will be the perfect executive to meet that challenge". WOOLIES TO REAPPEAR AS ETAIL OPERATION This is presumably the logic employed by Shop Direct, the online and catalogue retailer owned by slightly strange Daily Telegraph proprietors David and Frederick Barclay, which is apparently the UK's biggest home shopping retailer. They announced yesterday that they had bought the rights to the Woolworths name in the UK, and also its kids clothes brand Ladybird, both of which will be used for new etail operations. It's not the first time Shop Direct have bought old High Street brands - in 2005 they expanded their operations considerably by buying Littlewoods, though at least that company had an existing home shopping business that was of value. It's not clear how exactly the Woolies brand will be used by Shop Direct, though perhaps they're planning on launching a website which mainly sells things you don't really need at prices that aren't really that competitive compared to supermarkets and pound stores. Oh, and Ronan Keating CDs and cola bottle sweets. Anyway, here's what Shop Direct CEO Mark Newton-Jones said of the acquisition: "Woolworths is a much-loved brand that engenders huge affection among British consumers and is an important part of the country's retail heritage. In what will be Woolworths' 100th year, we are proud to be reviving the brand for future generations". GREIG CONFIRMED AS NEW STANDARD EDITOR Confirming her departure, Wadley, whose tenure at the paper wasn't especially successful, though more because of the growth of the free newspaper market than anything else (though the paper has always seemed decidedly dull to me while she's been in charge), said yesterday: "I am very proud to have edited this great London newspaper and, with the huge support of the staff, to have built it up into a prize-winning newspaper. The Evening Standard is an important London institution held in equal measures of respect and affection. I sincerely hope it will have a secure future". MTV2/MYSPACE CHART 1. [NE] Fighting With Wire - Sugar Meanwhile, added to list for viewer voting this week are... ERYKAH BADU GIVES BIRTH ON TWITTER The baby's father is rapper Jay Electronica. Badu, real name Erica Wright, also has a son and daughter from previous relationships. -------------------------------------------------- PERRY NOT ISSUING MCCOY WARNINGS People.com quoted Perry as saying: "Girls, if you have ever dated a boy - specifically the lead singer from Gym Class Heroes - don't do it! Boys should have a heart. You know what I mean girls? Boys just want the milk, but they don't want to buy the cow". In fact, she was telling people that she had not got engaged to Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. She & Him's Zooey DeChannel has, and she looks a little bit like Perry. Clearing up the confusion, Perry dedicated a performance of her debut single, 'Ur So Gay', to Gibbard, saying: "Girls if you feel me, if you've ever dated the lead singer from Death Cab For Cutie ... it's not like that, I'm not engaged ... this one goes out to him". She later added, while introducing her single, 'Hot N Cold': "To all of the my upcoming relationships - one foot in, one foot out. He wants the milk but he never wants to buy the cow". People subsequently issued a correction to their story and apologised for their error. Commenting on this (under the heading "That's fuckin' right it was an error"), Perry wrote on her blog: "I challenged them to actually find the audio clip/video of me "QUOTED" saying that. They, of course, couldn't 'cause... I didn't say that. I would never be so tacky. I go great lengths to keep it about the music. I made a different random type of joke before I introduced my song, 'Ur So Gay'. I never mentioned Travis or his lovely band, as they are all still friends of mine. I don't care if you make fun of me, my music, my zits, my cellulite or my bad choice of clothing, I really don't. Just have some soul, and don't LIE. I am not asking to be exempt from the media, I am just asking for some fucking fact checking". I have just checked, and Katy Perry definitely wrote that. |
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