The PR industry trade associations are standing firm on the issue of business-to-business web licensing. Here’s reaction from the CIPR and PRCA on news that the NLA’s licensing scheme will go ahead in the New Year.

“I can think of no other organisation that would charge you for improving the lifeblood of their business. Member schemes usually involve a reward, not a fee. […] I find it hard to accept that my members should pay fees for increasing the readership of content that is available free of charge.”
Kevin Taylor, President, CIPR

“[Our] position hasn’t changed. For so long as content is freely available, I think this is an unfair and legally un-enforceable charge.”
Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA