James Purnell, former MP for Stalybridge and Hyde.

Copyright

Term Extension

James Purnell, while the UK's new minister for creative industries, was quoted in The Sunday Times as supporting an American-style lengthening of the copyright protection period (currently 50 years in the UK). Apparently, the Beatles' hit 'Love Me Do' will lose copyright protection on January 1st 2013. Purnell is quoted as saying that, with the extra revenues, 'record companies can plough money back into unearthing new talent'.

How ever in response to a letter asking about this he wrote

"Despite the report in the press we have not in fact made a decision on whether the copyright term on music should be extended. We are, however, discussing this issue with other Departments, and have now reached agreement to commission an independent study to assess the pros and cons of change. Any change in copyright term would be a matter for EU law, so all relevant Government interests, as well as our EU partners, would need to be convinced that change is justified and in the best interests of UK stakeholders generally."

DRM

IPPR Creative Britannia Event with Speech by James Purnell (Minister for Creative Industries)

I can announce today that DTI and DCMS will set up a joint project to implement our manifesto commitment, chaired by Lord Sainsbury and myself. We will examine in the first place what issues need to be addressed, including the key issue of Digital Rights Management, and the interoperability of new technologies. Obviously the primary role is for industry, which is why we have asked the Creative Industries IP Forum to advise us on this issue.

TV Without Frontiers Directive

On 26th January 2006, James Purnell MP, Minister for Creative Industries, gave a speech at the Foreign Policy Centre addressing the Television without Frontiers Directive, the main EU piece of legislation dealing with broadcasting.

"I believe that the next version of TVWF will only be effective if we learn the lessons of the Directive's success to date and unite the Union around a more deregulatory version of the Commission's current proposals. If we don't do this, then in 10 years our successors will bemoan the handicaps we gave to European industry and the restraints we put on free speech."

"We do have serious concerns about a very fundamental aspect of what the Commission are proposing. That is the suggestion that the scope of this Directive be widened to cover new media services - that it should change from being a 'TV' Directive to being an 'Audio-visual Media Services' Directive.

"My argument is that this increased scope could mean significant regulation of the Internet and stifle the growth of new media services. That would raise prices for consumers, and deprive them of potential new services.

"I will argue that the case for extending regulation has not been made and that it is unclear how the proposal will fit with the e-Commerce Directive…the solution is to adopt the self-regulatory approach."

Links

web page
James Purnell MP wikipedia
James Purnell MP Guardian Interview
James Purnell MP TheyWorkForYou.com
Voting Record

News

2007-10-09 - BBC News - Games violence study is launched: Summary: The government is asking for evidence for a new study of the effect of violent computer games on children. Psychologist Tanya Byron will head the study, which will also examine how to protect children from online material. The review is due to be launched by Dr Byron - together with Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary James Purnell - at a school in east London. The games industry's association Elspa said it would co-operate - but it was too often blamed for society's ills.

2006-01-26 - Foreign Policy Centre - James Purnell: EU TV regulation must not limit free speech: Summary: "My argument is that this increased scope could mean significant regulation of the Internet and stifle the growth of new media services. That would raise prices for consumers, and deprive them of potential new services." "I will argue that the case for extending regulation has not been made and that it is unclear how the proposal will fit with the e-Commerce Directive…the solution is to adopt the self-regulatory approach"

2005-06-23 - Free-sklyarov-uk Mailing List - Message from James Purnell: Author: Tim Ivorson; Summary: "Despite the report in the press we have not in fact made a decision on whether the copyright term on music should be extended. We are, however, discussing this issue with other Departments, and have now reached agreement to commission an independent study to assess the pros and cons of change. Any change in copyright term would be a matter for EU law, so all relevant Government interests, as well as our EU partners, would need to be convinced that change is justified and in the best interests of UK stakeholders generally."

2005-06-05 - The Sunday Times - Plan to extend copyright on pop classics: Author: Andrew Porter; Summary: Britain's super-rich rock veterans are about to get even richer. The government wants to extend copyright laws to ensure pop songs are protected for almost twice as long as the current 50 years. James Purnell, the new minister for creative industries, believes the change will allow record companies to generate extra revenue to look for new talent and nurture it. Purnell, who will outline his plans in a speech next week, said: “The music industry is a risky business and finding talent and artists is expensive. There is a view that long-term earners are needed so that the record companies can plough money back into unearthing new talent. “Bands like Coldplay will make enough money for their company to help them discover around 50 or 100 bands.”