Music Groups Urge Web Safeguards
A dozen music organizations have joined with the Recording Industry Association of America in pressing Google and Verizon to incorporate strong copyright protections and anti-piracy provisions in their joint proposal for preserving Internet openness.
"We all share the goal of a robust Internet that is highly accessible, secure and safe for individuals and commerce," the groups said in a letter sent Wednesday to Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt. "An Internet predicated on order, rather than chaos, facilitates achievement of this goal."
The groups, including the American Federation of Musicians and the National Music Publishers Association, said in the letter: "The current legal and regulatory regime is not working for America's creators. Our businesses are being undermined, as are the dreams and careers of songwriters, artists, musicians, studio technicians, and other professionals."
At the same time, Web-based opportunities for the industry are limitless, the groups said.
"The number and range of music services is exploding," the letter said. "Our ability to invest in and create the next generation of music is grounded on crafting Internet policies and procedures that respect intellectual property.
"Accordingly, we are deeply interested in the details of your proposal as they may relate to the protection of content and to making sure that the distinction between lawful and unlawful activity has operational meaning," the letter to Schmidt concluded.
Google and Verizon last week unveiled a joint proposal they want considered as an alternative to stronger FCC regulation of broadband services.
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