Music industry to keep opt-out

Date: 20/06/02

By Peter Chapman

A BID to end the special status of the music industry in global trade talks later this year has been rejected by EU diplomats.

The UK and Netherlands led calls for the Union to give up its music 'opt-out' in talks at the World Trade Organisation aimed at liberalising markets.

But they were defeated by a coalition led by France and Italy, which wants to ensure that non-English-language acts and classical artists remain eligible for subsidies to compete with mainstream pop acts supported by global record labels.

Michel Lambot, president of the Independent Music Companies Association, said: 'We are delighted...the EU now retains the freedom to adopt policies for the purpose of promoting and preserving musical diversity and consumer choice.'

A bid to end the special status of the music industry in forthcoming global trade talks has been rejected.