SABIP, which was created in 2008, helped the Government build thinking and policy about Intellectual Property with one of its latest papers - in March last year - addressing the topic Strategic Priorities for Copyright.

However, the body was often criticised by people within the music industry for not offering concrete or tough recommendations on how to deal with persistent illegal music filesharers.

SABIP's research programme will now be integrated into the Intellectual Property Office's research work.