Muse Talk File Sharing

Lily Allen's recent MySpace diatribe against file sharing has been met with approval by none other than Muse singer Matt Bellamy.

The internet has changed the music industry in ways no one could have predicted. The free exchange of information has been a gold mine to bootleggers, with fans able to download their favourite albums for free.

Some artists are in favour of file sharing, regarding it as a form of free advertising. The Featured Artists Coalition, a new group set up to protect musician's rights, is generally supportive of those who file share.

However in a recent MySpace posting Lily Allen hit out at those who support file sharing, arguing that it harms new and emerging talent.

Finding support from Patrick Wolf, it seems that Lily Allen has struck a chord with many other musicians. Muse singer Matt Bellamy has taken the unusual step of emailing the pop star to show his support, which Lily Allen has published online.

"My current opinion is that file sharing is now the norm," Bellamy wrote, adding that internet service providers "are not being taxed by the copyright owners correctly".

Bellamy goes on to compare the internet to television, which pays for the use of material which they do not own the copyright to.

"Broadband makes the internet essentially the new broadcaster. This is the point which is being missed," he stated.

"Also, usage should have a value. Someone who just checks email uses minimal bandwidth, but someone who downloads 1GB per day uses way more, but at the moment they pay the same. It is clear which user is hitting the creative industries and it is clear which user is not, so for this reason, usage should also be priced accordingly.

"The end result will be a taxed, monitored ISP based on usage which will ensure both the freedom of the consumer and the rights of the artists."

Finishing, Muse singer Matt Bellamy claimed that the two singer's should meet with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. "We should set up a meeting with Lord Mandelson as he is on this issue at the moment, I'm sure he would meet us for breakfast!"