THE Japanese may love to rock around the clock in their blue suede shoes, but they're doing so without paying for the privilege, according to the European Union.

The EU yesterday warned it was set to escalate its dispute with Japan over the protection of intellectual property rights on music.

While Europe is demanding that royalties on music be payable for 50 years, Japan's requirement is only 25. Anything produced before 1971 can be played free.

The EU can't get no satisfaction so, unless there's more than a sound of silence in the next two weeks, the Commission says it will take Japan to a World Trade Organisation panel.

And they can expect a little help from their friends in the US who are likely to issue a similar threat in the next few days.