The APRS is taking the initiative in addressing the music industry concerns over Pre-release Security or "Leakage" by issuing draft guidelines in the form of a security audit checklist. There has been much debate about this issue since a number of high profile projects found their way on to the internet before their planned commercial release date, costing artists and record companies fortunes in lost sales. The recording industry has been trying to identify holes in the production chain where leaks might happen and APRS has undertaken to consult its membership as a part of the broader, cross-industry review.

In fact, the studio is probably the least vulnerable stage of the record production process. Think of the irresponsible behaviour of some artists and the lax practices in some record company departments or the numbers of individuals involved in making a video. In comparison, studios generally have tighter controls and certainly a greater awareness of security issues than most of the other contributors to the production chain.

But you can’t be too careful - especially if a client threatens to hold a studio responsible for loss of revenue when a pre-release security leak does occur. The APRS has worked with Studio Accord members and the IFPI to draw up a checlist of 20+ items for member studios to consider when conducting a security audit. The security audit checklist is the first move in establishing a 'Best-Practice' regime and ultimately a 'Code of Conduct' agreed with the IFPI. Further consultations are planned so that studios can share experience of working security policies, standards and value adding security options for particularly targetable clients. The process so far has led to an expectation that the contractual relationships between studios and clients will need to be reconsidered in the light of possible claims against studios by clients. The APRS has already changed its application procedures to ensure that all studios have a security policy to fulfil minimum requirements. Also APRS Standard Terms & Conditions for both music and audio post production studios are being revised.

2004 looks like being a bumper year for challenges and issues in the audio services industries. The APRS Audio Post Production Studios group is considering the implications of an initiative sponsored by the Film Council to establish UK POST a proposed industry wide lobbying body. Exporting manufacturers are coming to terms with new rules for the SESA grant schemes and our Education and Training Division is having to cope with the growing pains of setting-up a new 'sector skills council' - all the creative industries.

Watch this space!