IFPI Has Britney's Back

TOKYO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The IFPI–representing the recording industry worldwide with some 1400 members in 75 countries and affiliated industry associations in 49 countries–will soon announce measures to combat unauthorized distribution of pre-release recordings.

In keynote speech at the 4th annual Tokyo Asia Music Market conference on Oct. 16th, IFPI chairman/CEO John Kennedy indicated that those responsible for such leaks should be "very scared."

"We believe there should be zero tolerance for anyone responsible for leaks on the Internet whether they are studio engineers, senior journalists and especially if they are executives at record companies," said Kennedy.

Meanwhile, Zomba Recording LLC has sued U.S.-based PerezHilton.com for copyright infringement arguing that the gossip web site illegally posted tracks from Britney Spears' upcoming album "Blackout.”

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles accused the Web site and its proprietor, Mario Lavandeira, of illegally obtaining and posting at least 10 completed songs as well as unfinished demos.

"Blackout" was scheduled to be released in North America Nov. 13 by Zomba-owned Jive Records. Release date was shifted to Oct. 30 and the international release a day earlier because of the track leaking online. – Larry LeBlanc