A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

Posted in News by A2IM

As you know A2IM supports proposed Congressional legislation (SOPA and Protect IP) that would reduce U.S, consumer access to overseas websites that traffic in unlicensed music distribution like MegaUpload and Rapidshare. Russian President Medvedev recently published an open letter to the G-20 economic group world leaders calling on the G-20 to renegotiate the entire existing legal framework for internet copyright protection. President Medvedev  proposed a default system where copyright owners will be legally presumed to permit all uses on the internet unless they specifically notify the user, similar to the DMCA laws in the U.S. that have not been preventing unauthorized use. Last week we joined our creator colleagues in sending a letter to President Medvedev suggesting a different approach to encourage governments to ensure that their legislation prevents companies from building businesses or maintaining services based on providing access to infringing materials.