Friday 10:43am (4th September 2009)

Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John call UK internet termination expensive, illogical, and "extraordinarily negative"..
[upload]paulmccartney.jpg[/upload]The Guardian reports that "a rift has opened between music's creators and its record labels, with a broad alliance of musicians, songwriters and producers fiercely criticising the business secretary Lord Mandelson's plans to cut off the broadband connections of internet users who illegally download music. In a statement seen by the Guardian, a coalition of bodies representing a range of stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Damon Albarn attacks the proposals as expensive, illogical and 'extraordinarily negative'." However in other, more positive news six months ago YouTube were squabbling with a UK music royalty collecting society (PRS); accusing them of "proposing exorbitant new payment terms" and so YouTube pulled the videos leading to "criticism from the PRS, which felt [YouTube] was punishing British music fans by removing videos". Today that's thankfully been resolved in a new licensing deal, and people can access the music when they want. Good on them for being pragmatic and coming to an agreement.