Digital Rights Network

Private Eye magazine this week comments on ageing pop star Cliff Richard's campaign for copyright extension.

"The sight and sound of Sir Cliff Richard pleading for an extension in the 50-year copyright period in sound recordings is an unedifying one. Mainly because it represents a successful and rich artist arguing for a law that will benefit him, the complacent record companies and a few other successful performers at the expense of less-fortunate acts."

"Extending the copyright period would mean that record companies have no incentive to discover new talent. When Cliff Richard signed to EMI in 1958, the company wasn't relying on the smash hits of 1908 to fund the deal."

If you want to read the entire piece issue 1157 is in newsagents now.