MusicTank Publish File Sharing Report

Follow Up To ‘Let’s Sell Recorded Music’ Series Recommends Market Testing and Greater Emphasis On Commercial Solutions
Outlines BERR’s Forthcoming Rights Agency Options Paper & Consultation On Persistent File Sharers
PDF Of Report Released As Free Download

10th March 2009, London:- MusicTank today published their much-anticipated report ‘Lets Sell Recorded Music!’

Following last year’s think tank series of the same title, the report analyses the relationships between the recordings business, ISPs, consumers and Government, in an attempt to help foster progress towards compelling legal alternatives to unlicensed file sharing.

Beginning with a summary of the four events hosted by MusicTank in late 2008, which featured representatives of Government, ISPs, UK Music, BPI and PRS, mobile operators and new service providers, the report goes on to look at recent UK and global developments, and offers recommendations for maintaining momentum, overcoming differences and developing viable new services.

The report makes the case for much greater emphasis on researching innovative new services, recommending a Government timeline be put in place. It argues for ramping up market testing and research – on consumer reaction to new services, their effects on the existing digital download sales, as well as operational issues.

It outlines an impending consultation by BERR into sanctions for persistent file sharers as well as an Options Paper on the proposed Rights Agency, looking at, among other things, its proposed functions, activities and funding.

Said the report’s author, MusicTank Associate Director Sam Shemtob “Music rights holders – the canaries in the mine of the creative industries – are now focused on working with ISPs to offer fans legitimate alternatives to file sharing. MusicTank believes that only by building on the dialogue fostered by the MoU process, encouraging increased collaboration and road-testing different models, will the foundations be laid for compelling alternatives to be built upon.”

Commented Keith Harris, MusicTank Chairman “MusicTank has become an important instrument for facilitating discussion on the music business issues of the day. This report will help focus the arguments between the main stakeholders on the key subject of solutions to the file sharing dilemma.”

The report will be available as a freely downloadable PDF, via this link, which goes live at 9am Tuesday morning: www.musictank.co.uk/reports/filesharing/for-free

A business initiative of the University of Westminster, MusicTank programmes and produces seminars and debates each year, focused on developing innovation and best practice within the music industry. They have previously published two other acclaimed reports, ‘Meet The Millennials’ by Terry McBride and Brent Muhle and ‘Beyond The Soundbytes’ by Peter Jenner.

About MusicTank

MusicTank is the UK’s music business network, an initiative of the University of Westminster, set up with the support of 14 UK music industry organisations.

MusicTank aims to foster new collaborations and circulate innovative ideas, best practice and cutting-edge strategies to increase innovation and productivity across the business. Regular think tanks bring hot topics into sharp focus and help pinpoint the opportunities created by disruptive technologies.

MusicTank conferences deal with everything from record production to copyright review while occasional social evenings blend the entertaining recollections of music business virtuosos with the opportunity to develop valuable industry contacts.

MusicTank aims to override traditional partitions by providing improved access to expert knowledge via musictank.co.uk, the leading music business web-site, offering free industry discussion on new business techniques alongside useful reports and comments from leading lights. MusicTank also produces a free monthly newsletter to keep subscribers up to date with all the latest music developments.

www.musictank.co.uk