The culture secretary, Andy Burnham, is aiming to have the framework of an international strategy to combat illegal internet downloads agreed with the US and European partners by the autumn.
Burnham's ambitious plan, part of a five-pronged strategy to bolster the ailing music industry, was outlined by the government minister at a parliamentary reception last night involving groups including the BPI, which represents UK record companies.
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.
At the least, he is hoping that by the time of the event a consensus on the issue of internet piracy will begin to have emerged.
However, he made it clear that success would require the industry, from internet service providers to music companies, to work together to offer compelling legal download alternatives and the vigilance to crack down on piracy.
Burnham said he is aiming to "bring the threads together" with a five-pronged strategy to help the UK music industry. "It is an incredibly important industry to this country and perhaps it has not been focused on in the way it should. There is a strong sense that this is the year we have to bring this stuff off, we have a head of steam, a bit of momentum," he added.
Other key music-related initiatives Burnham highlighted at last night's parliamentary reception include the extension of the copyright term on sound recordings from 50 to 75 years, the creation of more rehearsal spaces across the UK, a schools programme and the nurturing of talent and apprenticeships.
In Lord Carter's interim Digital Britain report, the government said that legislation would be introduced to force ISPs to notify illegal downloaders that they are breaking the law.
ISPs will also be asked to collect anonymous data on the worst offenders along with personal details, on receipt of a court order, so that rights holders can seek to take legal action.
The interim Digital Britain report also recommends the creation of a rights agency, funded by the ISPs and the media industry, that would set out a strategy for defeating illegal internet filesharers, including the use of technologies such as digital watermarking of copyrighted content.
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