CAMPAIGN AGAINST ALLEGED ITV MONOPOLY
In 1977 I urged the Annan Committee on the Future of Broadcasting to recommend curbing possible abuses of ITV’s alleged music monopoly by primarily broadcasting music owned by ITV music publishing companies
(See Annan Committee Report, Cond. 6753 – Paras 12.51 to 12.52).
In 1990 I lobbied Parliament on the Broadcasting Bill on behalf of British Composers, with the support of Lord Annan (My former tutor at King’s) and Parliamentarians in both Houses. During the debate Annan suggested that ITVs claim that there were few cases of the alleged abuse by ITV,“ called to mind the maid’ who when asked by her mistress “Are you pregnant?” replied “Only a little pregnant” This retort sadly failed to achieve it’s purpose but I have used this put-down since to good effect in court and letters to the press.
OVERSEAS CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT MUSIC COPYRIGHT
China and Korea
My efforts to encourage the China Law Society to introduce effective copyright protection fell on deaf ears as the ageist Copyright Law ultimately enacted in 1991 only protected works created after the date of the act, thus depriving older composers of any protection. As a result my compositions issued by China Records have been performed virtually royalty free throughout China since the mid-80s.
See media reports – China & SouthKorea.pdf