The music industry and two trade associations representing the major hardware and software companies have reached an agreement, which is intended to end their long-standing dispute over the best way to fight digital piracy without government involvement.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP), said yesterday they have adopted a set of principles on digital rights.

The specifics of these principles were not disclosed, but the industry groups said they focus on the protection of digital content without "government-dictated technology mandates".

As part of the agreement, the RIAA said it will oppose proposed US legislation that would require anti-copying technological measures to be embedded in computers and consumer electronics devices. The IT industry has expressed strong opposition to such proposals, which it argues would be costly and inhibit innovation.

In exchange, the technology groups, whose members include Microsoft, Intel, IBM and Dell, agreed to oppose legislative proposals that affect certain consumer rights to use digital material.

However, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) was notably absent from the deal, as were other major technology companies, such as Sun. The movie studios believe that government-mandated technological measures are the best way to protect digital copyright.

The RIAA's full statement is available at:
www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=595

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