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Desperate, music firms are pairing off. Music executives prefer to talk of synergy, rationalisation and strength through partnership. But the fact is that big music firms are in deep trouble because sales are falling fast; merging is one of the few things they can think of doing. Selling up altogether may appeal even more--as Vivendi, a French conglomerate, until recently hoped to do with its Universal Music Group, the biggest music firm. Time Warner is expected to announce soon the sale of all or most of its Warner Music Group. Time Warner could sell this to Haim Saban, a media entrepreneur, and Edgar Bronfman, a former owner of Universal Music Group, who both have cash from private equity firms. They are thought to be primarily interested in the music-publishing part of the business, which is not afflicted to the same degree as recorded music, but they would buy the entire business if they could get it cheaply enough. Music executives wonder whether Sony's and Bertelsmann's announcement, which was about nothing more than a non-binding letter of intent, was designed simply to spoil things for EMI and Warner. The top five music companies have 83% of the music market in America, 78% in Europe and 75% globally, according to Sanford C. Bernstein, a broker. In the coming months, senior music executives may spend as much time hyping up the harmful effects of piracy on their business as they will fighting it.

Discusses why the global music industry is only going after Americans. Fact that swapping music through internet sharing services is an American phenomena because Europeans are just not as well connected; Finding that American web surfers are more likely to download music and in much greater volume; Rise in the number of broadband users in Europe.

Reports that the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has launched a campaign against music file sharers in Europe. Number of people who have paid penalties to affiliates of the organization in Denmark; Decline in shared music files through peer-to-peer services; Support given by the French government to the program.

Reports on the lack of effort of the European Union members to control music and movie piracy based on the data released by the European Commission. List of states that lack copyright enforcement; Concern raised by the music industry on the issue; Response of state ambassadors to the problem of piracy.

Informs that Thomas Stein, president of BMG Germany/Switzerland/Austria and Eastern Europe discussed the problem of `burning' music onto CD-R media. The need for awareness about illegal copying of recordings; Awareness campaign to help prevent compact disc (CD) piracy; Need for changes in copyright law.

Reports on the seizing of two million dollars' worth of Bulgarian-made pirate compact discs. Their discovery by a Dutch customs official in the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands; The international record industry's call for greater European Union action against Bulgarian pirates; The role of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

The article reports on the efforts of the music industry to ensure the implementation of the anti-piracy data law in Europe. The European Parliament is set to vote on the Date Retention Directive, which is being drawn up to provide a European-wide law for data traffic generated by devices such as mobile phones and e-mails. The music industry has argued that data must be made available to enforcement authorities.

Presents international sound recording industry-related news briefs as of April 26, 2003. The Australian Senate in Canberra has passed a package of amendments to existing copyright legislation intended to streamline court action against music pirates and counterfeiters. The new legislation clarifies the parameters of copyright ownership, extends the civil jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court to copyright matters, increases criminal penalties for importing pirate and counterfeit CDs, and increases the potential level of damages payable to a copyright owner. Gert Holmfred, who exited as Universal Music Sweden managing director in 2003, has launched Stockholm-based artist-management company and consultancy the Management. Leading French music retailer FNAC has launched a high-profile European campaign in support of a lower VAT (value-added tax, or sales tax) rate on recorded music. Throughout May, 2003 visitors to FNAC stores in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Portugal will be invited to sign a petition requesting a lower VAT. Others.

Discusses the Popkomm trade show for the European music industry in August, 2001 in Cologne, Germany. Topic of illegal downloading and copying of music from the Internet; Decline in sales, specifically in Germany; Copy-protection efforts in Germany.

Discusses the effects of piracy on Europe's music industry as of July 2000. Estimated impact of recordable compact disc (CD-R) sales on the industry; Efforts of French and German governments to prevent the illegal copying of music; How the availability of free music downloads on the Internet fosters the attitude that all music should be free; Proposed solutions, including consumer education and increased taxation of CD-R purchases.