EMI hails piracy crackdown as profits soar

Posted on 4 Nov 2009 at 12:05

EMI has said that it is on track to record a 20 per cent profit margin and sales growth in the year to March 2010. The record label welcomed the European governments' crackdowns on piracy.

In particular, the French 'three strikes and you're out' law which will cut off internet users accessing illegal downloads is "an important first step" to combating piracy, said Elio Leoni-Sceti, CEO of EMI Music, in an interview.

Peter Mandelson, the UK Business Secretary, has also pushed for tougher anti-piracy laws, which would force internet service providers to disconnect persistent file sharers who ignore written warnings.

Eircom, an Irish phone company, has also agreed to disconnect customers who ignore illegal download notices in a settlement with music labels.

In addition to this, Leoni-Sceti said that the value of the music market in Sweden has more than doubled since The Pirate Bay's owners were convicted of supporting illegal downloads through their website.

Leoni-Sceti wasn't so keen on free digital music promotions though, and said that such offers should have time limits on them. He didn't comment on services like Spotify, which could change the way we consume music forever, though.

Author: Tim Smalley

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