Open Rights Group Leader Joins Music Show Debate On Piracy

Killock will participate in the panel entitled "The Great Debate: Is Illegal File-Sharing Really Killing Music?", which takes place on Saturday at 2pm. On the highly contentious issue of illegal file-sharing, The Open Rights Group has consistently advocated a line that "punishment is not the answer", placing the group at odds with both the IFPI, who are involved in the legal action against Pirate Bay, and the Featured Artists Coalition, who have done an about-face to come out in favour of the "three strikes" policy against illegal file-sharers – as agreed in Ireland between IRMA and Eircom.

Other panelists on what promises to be a fascinating session, in which strongly-held and divergent views can be expected, are John Kennedy, Chairman of the IFPI and winner of an OBE for his role as co-producer of Live Aid and Live 8; composer Bill Whelan, a passionate defender of the rights of artists; internet broadcaster B.P.Fallon; and Shane O'Neill, the Vice President of Liberty Global, the international cable company, who are also involved in broadband distribution.

The panel will be moderated by Stuart Clark of Hot Press.

For More on Jim Killock, click here

Jim Killock:
Before joining the Open Rights Group in January 2009, Jim Killock worked as External Communications Co-ordinator of the Green Party in the UK. At the Green Party, he promoted campaigns on open source, intellectual property, digital rights and campaigned against the arms and espionage technologist Lockheed Martin's bid for the UK Census. Lockheed Martin have since been prevented from handling UK Census data as part of their contract. He was also a leading figure in the campaign to elect their first party leader, Caroline Lucas MEP.

Founded in 2005 by 1,000 digital activists, the Open Rights Group is described as the UK’s "leading voice defending freedom of expression, privacy, innovation, consumer rights and creativity on the internet. According to their manifesto, Open Rights Group campaigns to change public policy whenever citizens' or consumers' rights are threatened.

The Music Show, presented by Hot Press in association with RT? 2FM, The Irish Independent & The Sunday Independent, runs from October 3-4th in The RDS, Dublin. Saturday 3rd October 10 am - 6.30 pm, Sunday 4th October 11 am - 6 pm.

Tickets available on Ticketmaster or on the door.