Launched on September 26, 2008 UK Music is an umbrella organisation which represents the collective interests of the production side of UK's commercial music industry: artists, musicians, songwriters, composers, record labels, artist managers, music publishers, studio producers and music collecting societies. Feargal Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones...

, former member of The Undertones

The Undertones

The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...

 became Chief Executive Officer and Andy Heath

Andy Heath

Andy Heath, born 1947, is a prominent name in the world of music publishing.Having worked in the industry since 1964, Andy has formed two publishing companies of his own, Andrew Heath Music and Heathwave...

, former chairman of British Music Rights (BMR) became chairman.

Members include the Association of Independent Music

Association of Independent Music

The Association of Independent Music is a non-profit trade body established in 1998 by UK independent record labels to represent the independent record sector, which constitutes approximately 25% of the UK market....

 (AIM), the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters (BAC&S), BPI

British Phonographic Industry

The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...

 (British Recorded Music Industry) Limited, PRS for Music, the Music Managers Forum (MMF), the Music Publishers Association Limited (MPA), the Musicians Union

Musicians' Union (UK)

-About the MU:The Musicians' Union is an organisation which represents over 30,000 musicians working in all sectors of the UK music business.-Campaigns:The MU stages regular campaigns in relation to relevant musical and industrial issues...

 (MU) and Phonographic Performance Limited

Phonographic Performance Limited

PPL is the London-based United Kingdom music licensing company which undertakes collective rights management of recorded music and music videos for public performance, broadcast and new media use...

 (PPL).

Core goals are stated to be to promote awareness and understanding of:

• The interests of the UK music industry at all levels
• The value of music to society, culture and the economy
• Intellectual property rights and how they protect and promote creativity
• The opportunities and challenges for music creators in the digital age

In November 2008, the magazine Music Week

Music Week

Music Week is a trade paper for the UK record industry.Founded in 1959 as Record Retailer, it was relaunched on 18 March 1972 as Music Week . On 17 January 1981 the title was again changed, owing to the increasing importance of sell-through videos, to Music & Video Week...

 reported that UK Music CEO Feargal Sharkey, had written to Sir Ian Blair

Ian Blair

Ian Warwick Blair, Baron Blair of Boughton, QPM is a retired British Police officer who held the position of commissioner of police of the metropolis from 2005 to 2008 and was the highest ranking officer within the Metropolitan Police Service.On 2 October 2008 Blair announced that he would...

, then head of the Metropolitan Police Service

Metropolitan Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...

, and Information Commissioner

Information Commissioner

The role of Information Commissioner differs from nation to nation. Most commonly it is a title given to a government regulator in the fields of freedom of information and the protection of personal data in the widest sense.-Canada:...

 Richard Thomas "to clarify the 'use and purpose' of form 696

Form 696

Form 696 is a risk assessment form which the London Metropolitan Police requests promoters and licensees of events to complete and submit 14 days in advance of an event in 21 London boroughs. Non compliance with this may result in police opposition to event licenses being granted...

, which asks for personal details on artists and musicians performing at gigs and the style of music they will be playing." In his letter Sharkey wrote "the collection of this personal Data by the Met Police in advance of a musical performance is not light touch. In explicitly singling out performances and musical styles favoured by the black community: garage and R&B, and MCs and DJs, we believe the use of risk assessment form 696 is disproportionate, unacceptable and damaging to live music in the UK.”



In December 2008, UK Music launched Sound Rights, a free online resource for teachers and schools to support music study in schools. This was aimed at supporting the study of "the role of music and musicians in society, the music industry and of artistic and intellectual property rights.” In an interview with ISP Review in January 2009, UK Music Press Officer Adam Webb outlined the organisation's plans for tackling the problems of illegal file sharing over the internet and building working relationships with Internet Service Providers.