ALMR backs action on copyright collection bodies
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has welcomed Government plans to tighten up the conduct of copyright collection firms that would include PPL and PRS.
The Government plans to clampdown on firms such as PPL and PRS, with a planned statutory code next Spring if they fail to clean up their act.
The proposal came this week in the Government's response to the Hargreaves review of Intellectual Property and Growth.
The Coalition vowed to publish minimum standards for voluntary codes in 2012 and consult with collecting societies on their implementation by autumn 2011.
In the response, it said: "We recognise the valuable work done by collecting societies such as PRS for Music to adopt codes of conduct, and the development of a model code under the aegis of the British Copyright Council.
"These are a good start, but for them to be demonstrably effective they need to become more robust: enforceable codes with review mechanisms."
The Government also stated it will draw up plans by early 2012 for a "backstop power" allowing for a statutory code "to be put in place for a collecting society that evidence shows has failed to introduce or adhere to a voluntary code incorporating the minimum standards".
The Government noted it had "heard a range of concerns" about the operation of copyright collecting societies and that many were concerned about their approach which was seen as "heavy-handed, misleading or unfair".
ALMR chief executive Nick Bish said: "This is a very sensitive and topical issue and operators will be reassured that it's clearly on the Government's radar. We will be reinforcing all these messages."
