Tom Watson - Labour MP 2006-12-07T11:24:07Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2006, tom The wisdom of children 2006-12-07T11:24:07Z 2006-12-07T11:17:46Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2453 2006-12-07T11:17:46Z Father Christmas: What would you like for Christmas young lady? Niece Ellen: A plastic box and a cheese sandwich Perplexed grandmother: Why do you keep weeing on the floor Small child: To make mummy angry Parent: What would you like... tom tom@a.b being a parent Father Christmas: What would you like for Christmas young lady?
Niece Ellen: A plastic box and a cheese sandwich

Perplexed grandmother: Why do you keep weeing on the floor
Small child: To make mummy angry

Parent: What would you like to get your cousin for Christmas
Small Child: Can we wrap my little brother up and give him?

]]> Gowers review 2006-12-06T18:16:30Z 2006-12-06T18:10:57Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2452 2006-12-06T18:10:57Z In an early post, I'd talked about the Gowers Review that was considering extending the copyright term for recorded artists to over 50 years. He chosen not to do that and the BPI are not happy about it. The extended... tom tom@a.b music In an early post, I'd talked about the Gowers Review that was considering extending the copyright term for recorded artists to over 50 years. He chosen not to do that and the BPI are not happy about it. The extended link has their press release about the matter.

]]> London, December 6 2006, 3.45pm

The British recording industry today vowed to press on with its campaign to ensure recording artists and record companies are properly rewarded.

The statement was issued by recording industry trade association, the BPI, following the announcement by Andrew Gowers' review into the UK's intellectual property framework that it would not be recommending an extension of copyright term on sound recordings.

The BPI believes that extending the copyright term from 50 to 95 years would have sent an unequivocal sign to the international community that the UK values copyright and end the competitive disadvantage that British record companies face in comparison with their US counterparts.

Copyright extension would also benefit lesser known artists who have helped establish the British music industry as one of the most creative and dynamic in the world, and also enable the British consumer to benefit from continued investment in new music and artists.

Nevertheless, the BPI is pleased that Gowers has recognised the importance of the British music industry by choosing to recommend stronger enforcement measures against illegal downloads of music.

The BPI also notes the recommendation to clarify the legal status of format-shifting by consumers and welcomes the chance to discuss this with the government.

Peter Jamieson, chairman of the BPI, says:

"Overall we are encouraged by Mr Gowers' support for raising the profile and enforcement of intellectual property and we look forward to working closely with the Government on this. Stealing music is effectively stealing the future of British musicians and the people who invest in them."

On the issue of copyright extension he added:

"We will continue to make the case to the UK Government for term extension. As Mr Gowers says, the decision on extension is ultimately for the European Commission and we will be putting our case vigorously when it reviews the relevant directive next year.

"Gowers commissioned Cambridge economic research to argue the case against term extension; but this analysis completely fails to address the central argument of discrimination against sound recording copyright inherent in the current system."

A fuller BPI response to the Gowers Report will be issued shortly.

]]> You witness 2006-12-06T16:39:27Z 2006-12-06T16:37:09Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2451 2006-12-06T16:37:09Z Make your own news, or rather, report your own news. Making up the news would of course be a terrible thing and it doesn't happen. Ask any journalist.... tom tom@a.b television Make your own news, or rather, report your own news. Making up the news would of course be a terrible thing and it doesn't happen. Ask any journalist.

]]> London to Brighton - a must see 2006-12-06T11:33:20Z 2006-12-06T11:27:08Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2450 2006-12-06T11:27:08Z Well I got to see London to Brighton yesterday. It drowns you in unpleasantness. It was even bleaker than a David Davis speech. You must see it.... tom tom@a.b film Well I got to see London to Brighton yesterday. It drowns you in unpleasantness. It was even bleaker than a David Davis speech. You must see it.

]]> Tony Lloyd is the new PLP chair 2006-12-05T18:55:06Z 2006-12-05T18:53:48Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2449 2006-12-05T18:53:48Z Tony Lloyd has just defeated Ann Clwyd in the election for Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The result was Lloyd 169, Clwyd 156 with one spoilt paper.... tom tom@a.b labour party Tony Lloyd has just defeated Ann Clwyd in the election for Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The result was Lloyd 169, Clwyd 156 with one spoilt paper.

]]> Shellfish wars 2006-12-05T13:28:00Z 2006-12-05T13:13:38Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2448 2006-12-05T13:13:38Z If ever there was a story that shows how a globalised economy needs regulating, it is the Young's prawns saga. Here is a company that collect prawns in Scottish waters. They have decided that to remain economically lean they will... tom tom@a.b environment If ever there was a story that shows how a globalised economy needs regulating, it is the Young's prawns saga. Here is a company that collect prawns in Scottish waters. They have decided that to remain economically lean they will ship the prawns to Thailand for peeling and then ship them back for sale in the UK market. This will devastate a Scottish coastal village and must significantly increase carbon emissions. It's hardly a model of sustainability is it?

So how do you ensure a company like Youngs do the right thing? It is a great challenge for us all and I haven't got all the answers. One thing is for sure though. If we are to stop this sort of nonsense, we have to strengthen international institutions not weaken them.

]]> NASA 2006-12-05T12:36:22Z 2006-12-05T12:28:47Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2447 2006-12-05T12:28:47Z They're only building a flippin' moon base. How cool is that?... tom tom@a.b General They're only building a flippin' moon base. How cool is that?

]]> How do you make a great film for £80,000? 2006-12-05T12:15:24Z 2006-12-04T13:13:52Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2446 2006-12-04T13:13:52Z I'm really looking forward to seeing London to Brighon this week. From all the reviews, Paul Williams and Christopher Ross (inspired by Ben Moulden) are going to make a massive difference to the British film industry. They've had to struggle... tom tom@a.b film I'm really looking forward to seeing London to Brighon this week. From all the reviews, Paul Williams and Christopher Ross (inspired by Ben Moulden) are going to make a massive difference to the British film industry. They've had to struggle to make this film for a staggering £80k. I hope it was worth it for them. I'll tell you what the film is like when I've seen it but just to support up an coming British talent, I think you should see it too. The first week box office takings are life or death to a film.

]]> Quick poll 2006-12-04T12:45:43Z 2006-12-04T12:42:47Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2445 2006-12-04T12:42:47Z tom tom@a.b environment Following on from the News of the World article, I'm going to investigate this issue further. What do you think though?

Should councils disclose the income they get from mobile phone companies?
Yes - it's in the public interest   No - it's commercially sensitive     

]]> News of the World 2006-12-04T09:02:24Z 2006-12-04T08:51:58Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2444 2006-12-04T08:51:58Z The News of the World carries a great piece of investigative journalism in the current issue. They used the Freedom of Information Act to draw up a list of the councils who derive an income from phone masts. My own... tom tom@a.b environment The News of the World carries a great piece of investigative journalism in the current issue. They used the Freedom of Information Act to draw up a list of the councils who derive an income from phone masts. My own council, Sandwell, generates £119,000 a year from mobile companies. This appears to be the highest in the region, although Birmingham did not disclose the figures. They should, it's in the public interest.

Though Sandwell raised the most income, at least they did not license masts on school building like Staffordshire County Council.

This is a really intelligent use of the Freedom of Information Act that I am sure will have an impact on future policy decisions of local councils.

]]> Jon Cruddas - the new Howard Dean? 2006-12-03T23:20:58Z 2006-12-03T23:04:00Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2443 2006-12-03T23:04:00Z A really interesting analysis at Omar's blog. He poses the question whether Jon Cruddas could be the new Howard Dean?. Dean, says Omar, pursued a 50-state strategy and revitatlised grass roots campaigning amongst the Democrats. Omar also makes the Joe... tom tom@a.b deputy leadership election A really interesting analysis at Omar's blog. He poses the question whether Jon Cruddas could be the new Howard Dean?. Dean, says Omar, pursued a 50-state strategy and revitatlised grass roots campaigning amongst the Democrats.

Omar also makes the Joe Trippi comparison because Jon does not personally blog on his own site. He's obviously obeying the rule that you should never let the candidate write anything. A bit too late for me I think ;0)

]]> Singing for your supper 2006-12-04T00:32:01Z 2006-12-03T16:31:42Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2442 2006-12-03T16:31:42Z The Conservatives say that they are writing to the Commons authorities to clarify whether holding fundraising dinners in the private dining rooms of the House is banned under parliamentary rules. This response to the Sunday Times is at best disingenuous... tom tom@a.b conservative party The Conservatives say that they are writing to the Commons authorities to clarify whether holding fundraising dinners in the private dining rooms of the House is banned under parliamentary rules. This response to the Sunday Times is at best disingenuous - the rules are crystal clear that you can't use parliament's dining rooms to make money. The Tories have been caught out and are in trouble on this. I was surprised that it wasn't the splash in the Sunday Times.

]]> Grow your brain 2006-12-03T10:35:35Z 2006-12-03T10:33:35Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2441 2006-12-03T10:33:35Z 22 ways to increase your brain power. Strangely, the one about getting elected to parliament appears to be missing.... tom tom@a.b From Tom
22 ways to increase your brain power. Strangely, the one about getting elected to parliament appears to be missing.

]]> Things I've learnt this weekend 2006-12-02T20:23:03Z 2006-12-02T19:52:29Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2440 2006-12-02T19:52:29Z 1. Small children are adept at unscrewing the lids from mascara to create sofa art. 2. Unleaded petrol is not very good at propelling diesel engined cars. 3. I have a constituent who has been kidnapped by aliens and taken... tom tom@a.b From Tom 1. Small children are adept at unscrewing the lids from mascara to create sofa art.
2. Unleaded petrol is not very good at propelling diesel engined cars.
3. I have a constituent who has been kidnapped by aliens and taken to a secret location under the Five Ways in Birmingham

All in all, it has been an eventful 24 hours.

]]> Kids and guns in China 2006-12-02T15:59:01Z 2006-12-02T15:57:45Z tag:www.tom-watson.co.uk,2006://2.2439 2006-12-02T15:57:45Z Chinese military weaponry for kids... tom tom@a.b China Chinese military weaponry for kids

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