The British music industry seems determined to outdo its American counterparts when it comes to dumb and unworkable ideas, and is now proposing a tax on transferring music to mp3 players.

It may surprise you to learn that at the moment it is actually illegal to copy a CD to a PC, mp3 player, or any other media driven device. It’s one of those laws from a bygone age which in this digital age just doesn’t make sense any more.

Thankfully, the British Government realised this was an error of judgement, which criminalises most of the population, and at the beginning of the year announced a set of proposals which would make it legal once more.

However, some members of the UK music industry are not happy about this, and have demanded an extra tax be introduced to pay for the process.

According to Out-Law.com, in answer to a consultation paper on the process, The Music Business Group (MBG), an umbrella group including the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) has rejected the plans of legalisation, and called for a new tax to be levied.

“Enormous value is derived from the transferability of music. Last year alone, over 20 million MP3-capable portable devices were sold in the UK, and over 90% of music on the average MP3 player is music that has been copied.”

“UK creators and right holders are legally entitled to benefit from this value. At present, this value is enjoyed by both consumers and technology companies while creators and right holders are effectively excluded from any value. This constitutes market failure.”

“We need to redress the balance which underpins copyright – one that allows consumers to enjoy their music, drives technological innovation, yet recognises music creators’ and right holders’ place in this market. Our proposal creates an easily-implemented, flexible, future-proofed and transparent solution.”

What an absolute pile of hogwash. Basically, we, as consumers, are being asked to pay twice for the privilege of listening to music. Go and buy a CD, fine, but try and transfer that legally bought CD to another device such as an Apple iPod, or other mp3 player, and you should pay again for the right.

Is the MGB actually insane? This stinks of a desperate attempt to squeeze as much money out of consumers as possible, asking them to pay twice. It’s no wonder more and more people are taking umbrage at the whole music industry, and downloading albums illegally.

If this proposal for an iPod tax went through, then surely computers and cellphones, would have to be subject to the same tax too, as you can transfer songs on to them too. In fact, take this ludicrous tax proposal to its ultimate conclusion, and we should all be paying a brain tax every time we hum a tune in our heads. Surely the artist should be paid for us remembering their song after hearing it?

I though the RIAA and its cohorts were starting to take the piss on these issues, and was nearly apoplectic with rage when Warner called for a compulsory music tax to be paid by every living soul, but this even out-dumbs that.

I really hope the British Government tell the MBG where to go, and any musicians who value their audiences do the same.

Related:

Entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 7:52 pm under Legal, Media players, Music, Opinion.

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
Stumble It!