James Blunt, Patrick Wolf, Lily Allen and the dude from Muse are one thing, but when Sir Elton joins the fray, we’ve got a big fight on our hands. Original 106.5 reports that Elton John has now penned his own letter to Business Secretary Peter Mandelson in support of the government forcing ISPs to disconnect users alleged to have committed illegal file-sharing.
“For what it is worth, I am of the view that the unchecked proliferation of illegal downloading [even on a ‘non-commercial’ basis] will have a seriously detrimental effect on musicians, and particularly young musicians and those composers who are not performing artists,” John wrote.
In the other corner are the Featured Artists Coalition, a group opposing the proposed legislation, which includes Radiohead, Annie Lennox, Sir Tom Jones, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, KT Tunstall, Billy Bragg, and more.
Things could get pretty messy (if they haven’t already): Lily Allen has already been accused of plagiarism, James Blunt has brought the Beatles into this mess, and now we’ve got knighted music legends taking opposite sides.
My proposal? Settle it over a joust between Sir Elton John and Sir Tom Jones.