ELTON JOHN - SIR ELTON JOINS DOWNLOAD DEBATE

SIR ELTON JOINS DOWNLOAD DEBATE

SIR ELTON JOHN has waded into the row over illegal downloading of music - telling the U.K. government the practice will have a "seriously detrimental" effect on the industry.
Senior figures within British music are considering proposals from Business Secretary Lord Mandelson for a crackdown on illicit file-sharing online.
Singer Lily Allen opened up the debate when she attacked the Featured Artists Coalition, a collective of musicians taking a softer stance on illegal downloads.
And Rocket Man star John has now joined calls for tougher action - writing a letter to Lord Mandelson urging him to force through his proposal.
He writes, "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."