The Manx Music Blanket Mystery

Hey, nobody told us

Sources on the Isle of Man have expressed surprise at the proposal to issue a blanket licence legalising the exchanges of digital music over P2P networks.

The proposal was made at MidemNet this weekend by a Manx civil servant, Ron Berry. Berry is a broadcaster, joint owner of the Manx radio station 3FM founder, and founded an advertising agency. He made the suggestion in his capacity as controller of revenue for the Isle.

A major ISP on the Isle hadn't been informed, sources suggest.

The BPI also issued a statement today clarifying comments made by chief executive Geoff Taylor on the proposal.

"Our door is open and if there are broadband companies interested in launching a music service in the Isle of Man, then we would welcome commercial discussions," the BPI said in a statement. "But speculation of a blanket filesharing deal akin to a broadband tax imposed by Government, as has been suggested, is not something we’d welcome – and is some way wide of the mark."

Taylor had been welcoming ISP partnerships, rather than a blanket licence, the BPI stressed.

We've invited Ron to explain the proposal, and will bring you news as soon as he gets back to us. ®