GC of US copyright office to help music industry tackle online piracy

Carson, who has been general counsel of the US Copyright Office since 1997, replaces former legal chief Shira Perlmutter, who joined IFPI from Time Warner in 2005 before leaving to join the US Patent and Trademark Office as administrator for policy and external affairs last month.  

Reporting to chief executive Frances Moore, Carson will be based in IFPI’s London office and will work with governments, lawmakers and international organisations to tackle a number of copyright issues, including the growing need to prevent internet users from illegally downloading music.

Earlier this year the group showed concern for piracy levels in the UK, saying that delays to the Digital Economy Act meant piracy levels remain high. Globally, digital music was worth $5.2bn in 2011, the IFPI said.