London - ERA Digital, an offshoot of the U.K. trade group the Entertainment Retailers Association that includes HMV.com, Play.com, 7digital.com, Orange and Playlouder MSP, has released a five-point plan of reforms its says are "essential to maintain growth in the market."

The group notes that album downloads are growing 70% year-on-year in the U.K.

ERA Digital's five-point plan calls for a commercially-driven and collaborative approach to ISPs; a more open approach to new models from the recording industry; encouraging competition among collection societies; the abandonment of digital rights management for a la carte downloads (while continuing support "where it is needed to enable new models"); and clearer understanding of the digital music consumer.

"Too often the debate about the future of music is dominated by the interests of producers rather than of consumers," said ERA Digital chairman Russel Coultart.

"As the link in the chain closest to the consumer, it is right and appropriate that ERA Digital should align itself with the interests of music fans."

Coultart said ERA Digital will now seek to engage with all sides of the music industry in an attempt to progress its agenda.

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