International Recording Industry welcomes groundbreaking agreement in France to help in the fight against internet piracy

London/Brussels, EU. (Top40 Charts/ IFPI) - The international recording industry today welcomed a groundbreaking agreement in France which is intended to help in the fight against massive internet music piracy. This agreement provides for the setting up of an independent government body which will operate a system of warnings leading to the suspension or termination of internet subscriptions used for illegal file-sharing.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Paris today by music producers, audiovisual producers, internet service providers and public authorities, involves concrete undertakings by all of the signatories. The agreement is the result of a wide-ranging negotiation on the fight against internet piracy and availability of creative content online, carried out by FNAC Chief Executive Officer, Denis Olivennes, at the request of the French Government.

John Kennedy, Chairman & CEO of IFPI, the organisation representing the recording industry worldwide, said: This is the single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy that we have seen so far. President Sarkozy has shown leadership and vision. He has recognised the importance that the creative industries play in contemporary western economies. The winners will be French music, French employees and French music fans. By requiring ISPs to play a role in the fight against piracy, President Sarkozy has set an example to others of how to ensure that the creative industries remain strong in difficult markets so that they can remain major economic and cultural contributors to society.

It was an inspired idea of the President to appoint Denis Olivennes to try and find a solution to these problems. The mission was accomplished speedily, with a minimum of fuss, with proper consultation and most importantly of all, decisively. By ensuring that all parties compromised their positions, Monsieur Olivennes has laid the foundation for a major lasting contribution to French culture and the French economy.

Under the terms of the agreement, access providers have committed to experimenting with technologies to filter out infringing content on their networks. Record producers have undertaken to make a special effort in favour of interoperability, particularly with regard to music catalogue produced in France. The independent government body will publish monthly the results of its anti-piracy actions so the effectiveness of the measures can be assessed.