Protecting UK music

Copyright infringement remains a serious problem for all copyright owners, and the music sector - artists, producers, record labels, song writers...everyone - have suffered greatly. The problem, initially confined to fake copies of physical music formats like CDs, has increased as the internet and high-speed broadband has boomed. Digital music files are now uploaded and dowloaded across the internet with such speed that copyright infringement is now an international concern.

It is currently estimated that 95% of all music files exchanged online are unlicensed and unpaid for, meaning that in most cases no money goes back to the people who actually create the music.

The BPI works both in the UK and internationally with sister organisations to address this issue head on. This involves educating consumers about the damage copyright infringement causes to the music they love, finding collaborative practical solutions - like working with the Government and ISPs - to prevent online infringement, tackling commercial physical piracy as and when it is reported and taking legal action against serious infringing services and facilitators.

The BPI also supports and encourages the growing number of new legitimate online services, which find competing with 'free' illegitimate music extremely tough. All of the BPI's enforcement and lobbying efforts focus on ensuring that the opportunities for these innovative new services outweigh the obstacles.

The BPI has a dedicated Anti-Piracy Unit (APU), including regional investigators and Internet Anti-Piracy team. We also work in partnership with other rights holder organisation, like the UK film industry.

All non-members should send anti-piracy queries to antipiracy@bpi.co.uk