Universal Music Group International chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge has joined with four other high-ranking U.K. media chief executives to call on the government to propose tough action on Internet piracy in its forthcoming Digital Britain report.
The Financial Times reports that that five chief executives have written to the government to say that “tightening and clarifying the legislative framework” as part of the Digital Britain agenda “will be vital in order to protect all the content and distribution stakeholders and consumers.”
Other signatories include Jeremy Darroch, of British Sky Broadcasting; Michael Lynton, of Sony Pictures; Andy Duncan, of Channel 4; and Richard Scudamore, of the Premier League. British Sky Broadcasting is the only signatory to have an Internet Service Provider business.
The group wants communications minister Lord Carter to establish a “rights authority” to “ensure effective control of piracy.” Lord Carter did propose a rights agency in the interim report although he later admitted that it had received a mixed reaction.
The letter also stated that ISPs and content owners have “key roles to play” in ensuring the government can hit its target of reducing illegal downloading by 70%.
