Blog•May 19, 2026
The Blank Side
In October 1981 the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) launched the “Home Taping Is Killing Music” campaign, branding cassette copying as theft with a skull‑and‑crossbones logo. The message flooded record sleeves, T‑shirts and media, reflecting industry panic over revenue loss from consumer‑made tapes. The campaign, unveiled by BPI chairman Chris Wright, aimed to deter home recording and protect sales. It became a landmark anti‑piracy effort that shaped future copyright battles.
