Andy Burnham: IP challenge demands an international response

Nick | 25 Feb 2009, 14:45

UK Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, whose Deparment for Culture, Media and Sport is the founding partner of c&binet, has told the Guardian that he believes that the key challenge for the creative economy is to develop an international framework to strengthen IP rights in the digital age.  Mark Sweney reports:

“The ultimate aim of the plan, Burnham told MediaGuardian.co.uk, would be to develop a consensus with other governments that would make the UK’s own initiatives to combat internet piracy more likely to succeed. Burnham said the government is seeking a 70% to 80% reduction in illegal downloads with its plans in the UK.

“I am working towards an international memorandum of understanding, it is time for much more serious dialogue with European and US partners. No solely national solution will work. It can only be durable with international consensus,“ he added.

“Burnham is hoping that if all parties can be galvanised into action, there is a chance that the “Davos for creative businesses” world conference that will be held in Hertfordshire in late October could be used as the stage for developing an agreement on tackling illegal downloading.“