The ad runs in today's Financial Times and features thousands of signatories on behalf of 3,500 recording companies and 40,000 supporters. They are campaigning for UK copyright law on recordings to be extended from the present 50 years to 95 years, which would bring it in line with US regulation.
With the headline "fair play for musicians", it says: "We call upon the UK government to support the extension of copyright in sound recordings." Other musicians putting their name to the bid include jazz singer Cleo Laine, the violinist Nicola Benedetti, Sir Tom Jones, U2, Acker Bilk, Billy Bragg and Cerys Matthews.
Sir Cliff Richard is also featured on the ad -- he is keenly campaigning for an extension because some of his earliest recordings are now 50 years old. When they go out of copyright, not only does he miss out on royalties but the music can be used by anyone for any purpose.
The ad follows the publication of the Gowers Report, which was compiled by former FT editor Andrew Gowers. It recommended that there be no change in the present law.
According to the Financial Times, U2's manager Paul McGuinness has said that the industry will now lobby the EU to get the law changed.
Other recommendations by the Gowers Report include a clampdown on internet companies who host sites that share music illegally, and cutting the costs of enforcing intellectual copyright legislation.
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