The International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has welcomed an announcement by that EU Trade Commissioner called Peter Mandelson that the EU, US, Japan and Switzerland have begun negotiations that they hope will result in the strengthening of the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The trade body says that it hopes the talks will result in better international cooperation in the fight against copyright infringement, pointing out that a lack of such cooperation often aids the content pirates who illegally sell and distribute music, both online and through the pirated CD market.
The trade body said in a statement yesterday: "Piracy today is a truly global phenomenon that crosses all international borders. Yet enforcement has long been the weak link in the fight against both physical and internet piracy. It is particularly important, therefore, that the new negotiations are aimed at enhancing international cooperation to tackle this illegal activity, including commitments to undertake joint enforcement actions. Rightholders are committed to working with the EU and its trading partners on the details of this agreement, to improve the legal framework and ensure that industry and enforcement authorities have the most up-to-date tools fight piracy. The recording industry also calls on other countries, which share this high level of commitment to strengthen the enforcement on intellectual property rights, to join these negotiations".
The trade body's Executive VP Frances Moore added: "The recording industry commends Commissioner Mandelson for this new initiative which will send a strong message that intellectual property is one of Europe's most valuable assets. We are looking to the EU and its partners to make the fight against internet piracy a top priority".