Blur, Radiohead, Robbie Williams defend illegal downloaders

Musicians including Billy Bragg, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Blur's Dave Rowntree have said that fans should not be prosecuted for illegally downloading music from the internet.

The declaration came as some of Britain's best-known artists appeared together at the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), in London club Heaven last night (March 11).

The meeting aimed to discuss artists' rights in the music industry.

In total, 140 of some of Britain's best known musicians are members of the FAC. Those present at last night's meeting included Kate Nash, Robbie Williams, Mick Jones and White Lies.

Speaking after the meeting, Bragg told The Independent that most FAC artists had voted against penalising fans who were guilty of illegal downloading.

"What I said at the meeting was that the record industry in Britain is still going down the road of criminalising our audience for downloading illegal MP3s," he said.

"If we follow the music industry down that road, we will be doing nothing more than being part of a protectionist effort. It's like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.

"Artists should own their own rights and they should decide when their music should be used for free, or when they should have payment."

Bragg added that the FAC are now planning to take their views to Lord Carter, whose Digital Britain paper (published in January) recommended that illegal downloaders face prosecution in civil courts.

"We want to side with the audience, the consumer," Bragg continued.

One of FAC's directors is Blur drummer Dave Rowntree. In a statement before the meeting, he said that the digital revolution provided both artists and fans with a "fantastic opportunity" to make a difference.

"As this revolution gathers pace Featured Artists must seize the initiative," he said. "We are looking to forge a new deal, built on fairness, with our fans, the music industry and governments."

Rowntree also commented on the row between YouTube and the PRS over how much artists should get paid when their video's are accessed.

"YouTube's row with the PRS is the most recent example of just how fast the music industry is changing. There has never been a greater need for the collective voice of featured artists, whose music generates 95 per cent of revenue in the industry, to be properly heard."

Artists who are supporting the FAC campaign include:

Billy Bragg
Boilerhouse Boys
Chrissie Hynde
Craig David
David Gilmour
Gang Of Four
Iron Maiden
Jazzie B
Jools Holland
Kaiser Chiefs
Kate Nash
Klaxons
Mick Jones
Radiohead
Richard Ashcroft
Robbie Williams
Sia Furler
Soul II Soul
Stephen Duffy
The Cribs
The Verve
Travis
Wet Wet Wet
White Lies