Domingo: Protecting copyright one of society's most important missions

Read the text below.

1. What three major reasons does Plcido Domingo give to support his claim that
copyright is so important?
2. Who does he say must act to protect copyright?
3. What steps does he believe could be taken in this regard?
Plcido Domingo has urged governments not to allow copyright to be
eroded in the digital age at the International IP (intellectual property)
Enforcement Summit in London.
Domingo, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
(IFPI) chairman and world-renowned artist, highlighted the importance of
intellectual property enforcement for protection of creators and culture.
He told the meeting of international experts that protecting and enforcing
IP rights is one of the most important missions in our society and for our
culture today.
Domingo added: There is a view mistaken in my opinion that in the digital world copyright
matters less than in the physical world. It is emphatically not so. In fact, copyright needs protecting
as vigorously if not more vigorously on the internet.
"It is copyright that ensures that the internet can be a source of creative, cultural content. It is
copyright that has made it possible for the music industry to adapt to changing technology. And it is
copyright that prevents the internet being just wires and devices, without creative artistic content.
Addressing the debate around copyright reform in the EU, Domingo noted: Europe will this year
have new commissioners and a new parliament. I urge them, in their review of copyright, to
promote and protect copyright, not to weaken it. Please, do not allow artist and producers rights to
be eroded. Rather, look at how they can be better enforced.
Domingo stressed the need for a joint effort to protect intellectual property rights in the online
world. We, in the creative world, cannot protect our rights alone. We need help from the bigger
actors... When someone uses a search engine to find music, they should not be directed to illegal
sources of music. This directly hurts artists and other creators.
"We need collaboration also from the internet [providers]. And the advertising industry. We need
their support. We need them to be serious about creators rights and to act with effective measures.
"For example, they could make it harder for people to go to illegal music sites that take money from
artists and rights holders. This kind of cooperation helps artists survive and maybe even prosper in
their careers. It helps them make a daily living. And it helps protect our culture.
He also called for help from governments, saying, Enlightened governments will understand that
strong, properly-enforced intellectual property rights lead to a rich culture and economic prosperity.
"I have had a long and rewarding career in music. I wish the same for the generation of artists who
are beginning their careers. I am optimistic about the future.