McCreevy's 'simple wish' for EU-wide copyright deal

Jim Carrollon music

Charlie has spoken. EU Internal Market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has decided it's time for peace talks in the long-running barney between electronics companies and musical-rights societies over copyright levies.

The row, as the former minister for finance would probably wearily concur, has turned into something of a screaming match.

On one side, you have companies such as Philips, Nokia, Apple and HP, making products which can be used to copy artists' work. On the other, you have the collection agencies representing these artists looking to get paid.

The issue is contentious because of how these copyright levies are dealt with in the 20 EU states in which such levies are imposed.

Initially introduced on blank audio and video tapes, copyright levies have been subsequently imposed on a wide range of electronic devices, including printers and MP3 players.

Naturally, the electronics companies have resisted the imposition of these levies at every turn, claiming a levy would increase prices and thus decrease sales.

All attempts to make both sides see sense on this issue have led nowhere.

McCreevy's own efforts in 2006 also failed, after the French government rebelled against his plans to harmonise these levies.

Now, the commissioner has come to the conclusion that a Forum for Collecting Societies and Industry may be the best way forward.

"I have a simple wish. I would like this hearing to be the start of a process through which the main partners can sit down and calmly discuss a number of issues," said McCreevy at a public meeting in Brussels this week.

The move was broadly welcomed by the European Information and Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA), the group representing various digital technology companies. EICTA director-general Mark McGann said they wanted a "fair and balanced system", adding, "we don't want to talk about doing away with levies any more".

Calls and emails to Irish collection agency Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) seeking a comment on the commissioner's plans were not returned at the time of going to press.

Heaven knows, we're not miserable now

It has been a busy week for our favourite Mancunian miserabilist, Morrissey. At the start of the week, he appointed IE:Music as his new management team.

IE also represents Robbie Williams, holding out the possibility of a comedy duet between the two sometime in the future.

Moz also got around to adding another Irish date to his summer tour. He plays in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, on June 28th. This is in addition to his Live at the Marquee concert in Cork on June 26th.

This show was originally slated for Luggala Estate in the wilds of Co Wicklow, but the change of venue probably means fewer people will get lost and eaten alive by rampaging deer on the way to the gig.

Analog gets shipshape

Arrr, me hearties! The first intake of singing pirates for Hal Willner's Rogues Galleryshow in Dublin on July 18 have been announced.

Those enlisted by the much-experienced producer include Teddy Thompson, Waterson Carthy, Gavin Friday, Pere Ubu's David Thomas, the awesome Julie Fowlis, Baby Gramps, Ed Harcourt, Rachel Unthank and The Winterset. More will be added in the coming weeks.

This live show, based around Willner's album of pirate ballads, sea songs and shanties, is part of this year's Analog festival in Dublin's docklands, which also features Tortoise, Efterklang, Silje Nes, Liars and Taraf De Haidouks.

More information from  www.analogconcerts.ie

Quote of the week
You'd need a month for me to tell you. I don't really know what happeneed, it was a very humbling experience.  - Robert Plant on being back onstage with Led Zeppelin

ETC
• On The Record hearts Sigur Ros album titles. Album number five, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, is released on June 20th. Download album sampler Gobbledigookfrom the Electric Picnic-bound band for free at  www.sigurros.com
• The Adventures Of Flanneryis Johnny Gogan's documentary on the always engaging Cathal Coughlan. It will be screened at Dublin's IFI on June 15th.
• The vastly overrated, mind-numbingly boring and outrageously bland Coldplay play a pre-Xmas show at Belfast's Odyssey on December 18th.