Today In Mildly Interesting International Anti-Music Piracy News

– The European Union is set to vote at the end of month on a new anti-piracy directive that would apply to all 27 EU countries. The measure is aimed at commercial entities, not private citizens, and it dictates “a maximum four-year prison sentence for IP crime, and fines of up to EUR91,050 ($121,430), rising to EUR273,160 ($364,290) if organized crime involvement is proved.” Among the biggest trouble spots for piracy are Greece, Italy and Spain; meanwhile, no one seems to worried about Malta. Sorry, Malta! You’ll be up there with the big boys some day yet! [Reuters] – The U.S. will today formally announce plans to step up its crackdown on piracy in China, where just about everything everywhere is bootlegged. One of the points of contention is the country’s piracy guidelines, which state that you have to be in possession of at least 500 counterfeit CDs to be charged with a crime. [WSJ] – International music executives are “fearful” of a “spread of piracy” following Apple’s DRM-dissing new plan. Well, at least one anonymously quoted executive seems to be fearful. [Independent]