Statements from National Groups involved in 1st wave of actions

Peter Zombik, CEO of IFPI Germany:

"The unauthorised distribution of music on the web has increased to such an extent over the last few years that it is threatening the livelihood of the German music industry. Whilst we have so far concentrated our legal actions on illegal music offers on websites - in the last two years we were able to close down more than 2000 such websites in Germany - we also carried out an extensive public information campaign in the last year in order to increase the awareness for the legal and technical dangers involved in illegal file swapping. Excuses about being unaware of the legal position are no longer acceptable. "

"This information campaign, however, has not been enough to stem the unauthorised distribution of music on the web. That is why we have decided to go one step further and resort to legal means to put a stop to the unauthorised distribution of music on the web. Now no-one can claim that illegal music uploads are a peccadillo without any consequences."

Johan Schluter, Secretary General, Danish Recording Industry Association:

"Illegal downloading, copying and 'filesharing' have seriously hurt the Danish music industry: CD-sales have gone down by 50% in just four years; people are losing their jobs; record stores are closing down; and artists find it increasingly difficult to get their music released."

"While our efforts to warn and educate illegal file-sharers have been successful in terms of raising awareness of the issue, the illegalities have continued. Even if people now know it is illegal, they still upload and share illegal files. This situation is unacceptable to an industry that is working hard to launch legal alternatives where law-abiding citizens can enjoy and pay for their music."

"The stealing has to stop. In a small market like Denmark the consequences of a dramatic drop in sales are strongly felt. And we are happy to have a united music scene supporting our activities."

Brian Robertson, President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association:

"The Canadian litigation action was taken only after we had heavily invested in a year-long, nationwide education program and then a second communication program with Canadian users of KaZaA."

"We have had four consecutive years of retail sales declines, staff layoffs and declining opportunities for artists and their music. If it takes litigation to restore the health of the Canadian music industry and drive home a message to hard-core exploiters of recorded music, then we view it as a regrettable but ultimately necessary action".

Enzo Mazza, General Director of FIMI, the Italian Recording Industry Association:

"Music piracy is an enormous and ongoing problem in Italy, threatening the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Italians in the music industry."

"As Italians take up broadband, they also take up unauthorised P2P file sharing in increasing amounts - almost half of all regular internet users in the country already regularly download music although the activity is most popular with younger internet users."

"3.3 million Italians use P2P services and most of them share illegal files over the net. We cannot allow this to continue at this pace. With this in mind the Italian industry has worked closely with the education authorities to get schools to adopt copyright protection measures."

"And it is why the Italian music industry fully supports, and is co-operating as much as possible with, the public prosecutor. Illegal file-sharing is costing our industry jobs and stopping our talented young musicians from making music - it must stop."