PERFORMERS' RIGHTS

That this House recognises the importance of creative industries to the UK economy; notes that these industries contribute £11.4 billion to the UK's balance of trade and constitute a greater proportion of gross domestic product than anywhere else in the world; acknowledges the key role of home-grown performers in generating the artistic and commercial value on which the creative industries are based; is concerned that the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property failed to recommend the necessary changes to performers' rights which would provide recognition and incentives to help retain the UK's competitive advantage; believes consequently that the term of protection for performers' rights should be extended from 50 years' to 70 years' duration from the date of publication; supports the introduction of a levy to allow the public to make private copies of protected material and provide rewards for performers; believes that moral rights should be extended to audiovisual productions; and will support steps at a national and international level to prevent unequal treatment of individual performers in favour of media producers.