The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry appointed Geoff Taylor as general counsel and executive VP.
This marks Taylor’s return to the international labels’ trade body after a hiatus at British sister organization, the British Phonographic Industry.
Taylor, who joins the IFPI in December, will be reporting to the organization’s chairman/CEO John Kennedy. He will oversee the litigation and licensing activities of IFPI on behalf of its members. He will also be responsible for IFPI’s Internet anti-piracy strategy and regulatory matters.
“Geoff Taylor has proved a highly effective legal strategist with an almost unrivaled expertise in music industry litigation and licensing issues,” said Kennedy in a statement. “His combination of national and international experience will be a great benefit to IFPI, as will his sheer zest for results.”
IFPI director of licensing and litigation Lauri Rechardt will report to Taylor, while Shira Perlmutter, executive VP, global legal policy, continues to report to Kennedy.
Taylor joined the BPI as general counsel in June 2004.
As head of the BPI’s legal policy issues, he was responsible for the litigation program against illegal file-sharing. He was also involved in the BPI’s negotiations with collecting society MCPS-PRS Alliance, and the subsequent reference to the Copyright Tribunal about online publishing royalties.
Between 1997 and 2004, he was IFPI’s deputy general counsel and director of litigation and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, he specialized in EU and competition law as an associate at the US law firm Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering in Brussels.
Taylor succeeds Allen Dixon, who resigned in July to return to private practice. Dixon is due to start a new consulting firm dealing in intellectual property and technology issues.
The BPI will announce its appointment of a successor to Taylor in the near future.
