Extending copyright will only cut performers' pie thinner

IN 2006, the UK government committed not to extend the term of copyright in sound recordings. It did so having conducted research into the effects such a move would have on record labels, consumers and artists.

Now the European Commission has put forward a proposal to nearly double the length of time performers and phonogram producers can enjoy exclusive rights over their sound recordings, from 50 to 95 years.

The timing is no coincidence. Rights in the ...