Could music could harm Polands bid for membership in the European Union?
Well of course not the music itself, but European record industry exuctives told Poland it had to increase measures against piracy – which is rampant in Poland – or deal with the possibility that the persistence of this problem could hamper Poland’s chances for membership. The officials welcomed the new anti-piracy bill currently being discussed in the Sejm, but stressed that enforcement would be key. Polish prosecutors and police have been thus far rather lenient on those who infringe intellectual property laws. Jay Berman, chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), told a news conference that, “the government should increase its response to the problem.” He went on to say, “we are here to express concern over the reemergence of piracy in Poland.” The legislation currently being discussed will extend intellectual property protection of written materials to 70 years, up from the current 50, and on recorded material to 50 years, up from 25. The officia
