ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a number of reports which have been commissioned by the music industries and government agencies in order to variously assess the state of the United Kingdom (UK) music industries, examine particular issues within them, and/or develop strategies for them. The music industries' reports are part of a much bigger trend from the 1980s where politicians sought evidence that the creative industries could be important economic players. Various industries' bodies, including Mechanical-Copyright Protection Societ (MCPS), Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), Performing Right Society (PRS), International Federation of Phonographic Industries (IFPI), British Phonographic Industry (BPI), gave evidence which supported the current system. By 1999 it was obvious that new internet-based technologies were set to have a major impact on the music industries. Chris Smith praised 'the British Music Industry' for its previous history of responsiveness to consumer demand and said that the challenge was to do it in the new century.
