Tech Expert Urges Record Companies To Adopt New Tactics

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

23 September 2004

Speaking at the Interactive In The City Conference in Manchester recently, technology expert and chief of tech news service The Register's San Francisco Bureau, Andrew Orlowski suggested that given the rapid development of new technologies, record companies would be well-advised to consider adopting new techniques in the fight against illegal peer-to-peer file sharing.

According to a BBC News Online report, Mr Orlowski explained to those attending the conference that although the music and film industries are currently able to track down the most prolific file-sharers, technologies now being developed will ensure that this is almost impossible in future.

In order to illustrate his point, the Register journalist pointed to the possible development for commercial use in the foreseeable future of short-range network systems known as personal area networks, which will be able to register the musical preferences of their owners and extract copies from similar devices bearing musical tracks which fit the profile.

"It's peer to peer in your pocket," he observed.

In order to address the problem of ensuring that recording artists are recompensed for the use of their creations, Mr Orlowski suggested that a small levy could be made on monthly internet subscription fees, which could be given to record labels to pay the artists, and suggested that the concept of a surcharge is gaining support in the music industry.

"Copyright law is fine. We just need to enforce it in a more enlightened way," he concluded.

Recommended