Quotes

November 15, 2005

For local language versions of these quotes please contact Laura Childs on +44 (0) 29 7878 7935 or email press-office@ifpi.org

Hans Lindström, President, SAMI, the Swedish Artists' and Musicians' Interest Organisation, Sweden

"For our members, the income from the legal sale and distribution of their recorded performances is essential to their professional work as musicians and artists."

Åsa Törneryd Managing Director EMI MUSIC Sweden

"The internet provides fantastic opportunities for artists, consumers of music, distributors and ourselves as record companies. EMI welcomes the digital revolution, and wholeheartedly supports IFPI's actions against illegal file-sharing, which is underpinning the legal basis for creative, artistic production and access to music."

Carl Lindencrona, President, the Swedish Music Publishers' Association, Sweden

"Those who create and issue music must be paid for their work. This is vital to their ability to continue to create new music, which gives pleasure to all of us. That's what the Copyright Act is all about.

"It is essential that everyone who uses music understands and respects the copyright rules, so that the intentions behind the Copyright Act will be achieved in practice.

"Both carrot and stick are needed to achieve this, in my view.

"Taking legal action against anyone who breaches copyright in a serious way is one measure. Offering a large number of easily-accessible channels for consumers to buy their music is another. Information and education are another vital element, and these must continue to be used. The speed of technical development means that there are always new ways for consumers to buy music quickly and easily."

Jan Granvik, Chairman, The Swedish Musicians' Association, Sweden

"As a songwriter, I own my music, and, obviously, I have the rights to everything I compose.

"Unfortunately, there are people who don't respect or understand the difference between yours and mine.

"Just like anyone else who doesn't respect private property, either material or intellectual, they should be penalised!"

Mats Hammerman, Chairman of SOM, the Swedish Independent Music Producers' Association, Sweden

"It is widely known that record shops, artists, songwriters and record companies are the people who lose from illegal file-sharing. What is seldom talked about is who actually makes money from it. File-sharing networks such as Kazaa make a fortune on advertising and on selling information to spammers. It is frightening the way these networks make so much money from supplying goods they don't own."

Jan Rosén, LL.D., Professor of Private Law Law Faculty Stockholm University, Sweden

"Everyone wins if the Internet develops into a calm and well-ordered market place. Respect for a modernized copyright law is the basic condition for achieving this."

Maria Molin Ljunggren, Director, Lionheart International AB / MLP AB / M&L Records AB, Sweden

"At last, the outside world is beginning to understand that there is a business called the music industry which has been driven to the verge of extinction in recent years as a result of thievery. Taking action is essential to instilling confidence in the future in our artists, and all those who are involved in making music."

Gun Magnusson, President COPYSWEDE, Sweden

"Composers, musicians and artistes have the right to choose their own distributors. No one should be able to interfere without signing an agreement with them. Illegal uploading is theft, and it undermines the ability of artists to live off their art. It devastates the financial base they need to continue to create. In the long run, it is the public itself that loses out."

Joakim Wallström, A West Side Fabrication, Sweden

"I wouldn't describe myself as a Luddite (although I am technically incompetent) or a reactionary. But that doesn't mean that I want to see people stealing our songs without permission. To anyone who says they are doing us a favour by distributing our songs in all directions via file-sharing networks, I would say, please get in touch with us first and hear our views on the subject. There has never been as much music available all over the world as there is now, but now has it been so difficult to get paid for work."

Mikael Olander, CDON, Sweden

"It is essential that there are good legal alternatives available when the file-sharing law comes into force. CDON.COM provides this with a catalogue of over 500,000 songs, and a fast, simple and secure service. Not only that, but a downloadable song usually costs only about a third of the corresponding CD single!"

Stefan Jacobson, PetSounds, Sweden

"Music arises from happiness and sorrow for future enjoyment, add it to your basket"

Senator Mrs. Mastandrea, Argentina

"Our authors and creators should be able to develop within a framework of creative freedom. The illegal circulation of their works through the internet damages such liberty since it deprives them of earning a living from music. It's absolutely necessary to understand that piracy destroys culture."

Leon Gieco, rock folk artist, Argentina

"File-sharing music files without the creators' authorisation is illegal and a big problem which, if it continues, will very quickly destroy our ability to make and enjoy music. We have to be aware of the damage that piracy inflicts on the entire creative process as well as to the revenue of many families of all those involved in making music - not just the artists. On the other hand if we start using legitimate services, people will be able to enjoy music in new ways and this will provide an incentive to new artists and composers."

Gustavo Santaolalla, musician & producer. Latin Grammy 2005 award, Argentina

"I think piracy affects the entire music industry; all the employees that work at the labels and the recording studios as well as the artist himself. We have to become aware in this country that piracy is theft. New digital technologies should become a new tool for the marketing of music and not a tool to promote illegal downloading. Piracy has a huge negative impact on the music industry and harms musicians and the arts. Let's care about music, it's the most valuable thing we have."

Charly Alberti, rock musician, former member of Soda Stereo, Argentina

"File-sharing copyrighted music is not only an illegal activity but also prevents musicians from earning a living from music. It prejudices the whole music industry as well as all the families that are supported by it. People have to understand that music is not for free. Behind each song there is a lot of work, time and money invested by musicians and producers. If people pay for food and services, why do they expect not to pay for music?"

Axel, songwriter, Argentina

"The internet and new technologies represent a great future for artists and music lovers. But it is essential to be aware of the fact that illegally file-sharing music can destroy our industry. This is why I think the launching of legitimate services in Argentina is great news."

Airbag, pop band, Argentina

"We are young and love music. We love making it as well as listening to it, and we are really hopeful of being able to go on creating music in the future. That's why we ask you to buy legal music."

Alejandro Varela, chairman of EMI Music, Argentina

"Downloading music files from unauthorized peer-to-peer systems is an illegal activity for a simple reason: the uploaders (who upload music files and act as 'music distributors') don't have the intellectual rights of the music they are distributing. Not only is this piracy illegal but it also it damages the entire creative process."

Juan Carlos Alessina, MPA´s local agency, Argentina

"The entertainment industries such as film and music can't invest in artistic developments if all the authors and performers' creations are stolen from internet. Today's legal actions carried out by music industry will help the legitimate market develop."

Mike Ellis, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Asia Pacific, MPAA, Singapore

"The MPA fully supports the actions taken by RIAS. Government and industry education campaigns over the past several years have communicated clearly and widely that in Singapore, the theft of music and movies via the Internet is illegal. Copyright theft is theft, pure and simple, and a clear violation of Singapore's laws."

Mr Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Soundbuzz CEO, Singapore

"Companies like Soundbuzz have invested heavily in creating safe, telecommunications-grade online environments which offer music purchasers ease-of-use, choice, security and 100% transparency, whilst also protecting the rights of artists to make money from their creative efforts and performances. For legitimate businesses like Soundbuzz to succeed, it is critical that the Industry has a level of enforcement to raise awareness of the fact that illegal P2P activity is indeed a punishable crime. We applaud the efforts of RIAS and the music Industry, and remain committed to the inevitable reality of a robust, legal online music market."

Michel Lambot, President of IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association)

"One day, my kid came home with lots of candies. When I asked him how he paid for them, he answered; "Easy! You just have to help yourself and put them in your pockets!" I forced him to go back to the supermarket and give them all back. I explained to him how and why the people working in the supermarket needed to get paid, how and why the delivery people needed to get paid, how and why the workers in the factory needed to get paid, how and why the farmers making the raw product for the candies needed to get paidÂ… Is it normal that the people who make music that speaks to your heart, those who work hard to make the music available, those who work in the record stores and supermarkets to deliver the music are not getting paid? Is it normal to let your kids steal candies? Worse - are you stealing candies yourself?"

Toine Manders, Member of the European Parliament, The Netherlands

"As both a Member of the European Parliament and a big music fan, I am concerned that the millions of illegal files uploaded on the internet are undermining the future of artists, producers and everyone whose livelihood depends on making music. The European Parliament has played an important role in passing legislation to guard against copyright abuse in the Internet age. These laws should be respected so that the European recording industry and artists can get on with the job of making great music. "

Simon Wright, CEO Virgin Entertainment, President of GERA (Global Entertainment Retail Alliance)

"GERA-Europe remains supportive of litigation in the case of large scale uploading. It hopes that this second wave of litigation will continue to serve as a tool to educate music users and to render the legitimate sale of music online more viable and contribute to the revival of music sales through traditional channels. The latest move by the recording industry to stamp out what is essentially theft of copyright material is considered positive provided that the move continues to be accompanied by consumer education and other methods to promote the legitimate sale of music."

Éanna Casey, Chief Executive of RAAP (Recorded Artists and Performers)

"R.A.A.P. fully endorses the actions outlined this morning by IRMA. Online music piracy is selfish, illegal and has a direct impact on the economic welfare of Recording Artists and Performers. No industry can be expected to allow criminal activities to continue unchallenged, the illegal uploading of copyrighted music is now being confronted, and R.A.A.P. is committed to protecting its member's moral and economic rights"

Victor Finn, Managing Director of MCPS (Mechanical-Copywright Protection Society) Ireland

"We fully endorse the actions taken by IRMA today. All parties have been fully aware of their responsibilities for some time in this area. Unfortunately, not all have heeded the warnings given and they have made this action inevitable."

Cees Vervoord, CEO of Buma/Stemra (music copyright organization), Chairman of the Board of Directors of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers).

'It is totally irresponsible to advertise the 'unlimited uploading of music'. Firstly, uploading is illegal in most cases. Secondly, you are exposing your customers to the risk of having to pay damage claims from rightsholders. In the present climate, one would expect that companies of this size and importance would be working on the growth of their profit margins in an ethical and responsible way, whilst considering the rights of the music authors.'

Rafael McDonnell, Head of Strategic Marketing Alliances, Coca-Cola

'Downloading is undoubtedly the future for music and with the emergence of legal sites, there is simply no need to file-share music illegally. We need to continue to drive awareness of the availability of legal downloading sites such as MyCokeMusic.com in order make consumers aware of the alternatives. This is why we support IFPI in their efforts to stop illegal downloading.'

John Malcolm, Senior Vice President and Director of Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations, for the MPA (Motion Picture Association)

'IFPI's actions prove once again that, when you are online, you can click, but you can't hide. You will be held to account for your actions. When you steal copyrighted material from a peer-to-peer network that is open to the world, not only do you open your computer to perils such as viruses and worms but you reveal your identity and expose yourself to legal liability. The MPA, on behalf of the international film industry, fully support IFPI's campaign to protect the copyrighted works of its members as well as the livelihoods of the millions of people around the world who work in the creative industries.'

Paul Smith, UK & Eire Sales Director, Loudeye/ OD2

'OD2 fully supports the promotion and growth of legal downloading. Offering music fans a legal alternative is of paramount importance to the whole industry - protecting artists work and safeguarding the industry for the future is absolutely what we are trying to achieve. Working closely with the IFPI, the record companies and of course our retailers, OD2 will continue to invest in offering digital music services which are both convenient and legal, whilst giving music fans a rewarding consumer experience.'