Midem: Sharkey hits out at Government

14:46 | Monday January 19, 2009

Sharkey, who has himself worked alongside the Government on a number of schemes, notably as chairman of the Live Music Forum, started his speech with a brief outline of the history of the music industry, from US songwriter Charles K Harris to today’s digital landscape.

“This is not the first time we have been faced with some incredibly tough challenges that will require tough decisions,” he said, warming to his point. “But through it all this industry has survived.”

“Success has always been driven by partnerships,” he added. “But something has changed: for the first time we are failing to take control and to set the agenda. For the first time we are being told by others what to do and when to do it.”

Sharkey explained that the music industry needed “a clear single vision for our destiny and a clear unified voice”, adding, “Musicians have to be compensated. If not then they will fail to provide for us.”

The UK Music CEO then laid into those who do not respect copyright and praised the French government’s effort to protect IP.

And, to predictable cheers from an audience thick with the UK music industry’s great and good, he lambasted the UK Government’s own efforts on IP, saying, “Why is it that UK creators are having to seek support from Brussels and not on our own door step? Why is that?”

“It is time for UK Music,” he concluded. “It is time for this industry to do what it has always done: to build, to innovate, to have faith, to have confidence to seize the opportunities on the new horizons.”

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham recently declared his Government’s backing for extended copyright term, but not to the length – Burnham suggests 70 years - being proposed in Brussels.

Sharkey was speaking at a midday lunch reception for UK Music at the Majestic hotel in Cannes as part of Midem 2009.

Today’s Midem has seen a focus on management – via the International Managers Summit – and live music.