Copyright law faces radical overhaul

Release date: 26/05/2011

Copyright and key Intellectual Property laws could be radically overhauled following publication of 10 proposals to update the legislation and help keep the country at the forefront of innovation.

Professor Ian Hargreaves was commissioned by the Government to scrutinise our existing IP laws. His findings have now been published and include a number of key recommendations.

Specialist IP lawyer Pina McAleer, has followed developments closely.

She says: "Among the proposals is the launch of the Digital Copyright Exchange, which is recommended to be in place by the end of 2012. Its aim is the creation of a central location to make it easier for individuals to get permission to use others' copyright works and to agree a licence with copyright owners. With the increasing risk of infringing when using the internet, this is likely to be a welcome addition."

The Hargreaves' Report also wants to allow the digital copying of CDs and DVDs, if they are for personal use only. Most of Europe already follows this approach and the UK is now lagging behind in this area. Relaxing the laws surrounding parody are also recommended, which means music producers would have less power to prevent the creation of amusing song and lyric parodies.

It is hoped the proposed changes to copyright laws will add significant value to the UK economy. But some experts have criticised the Hargreaves' Report amid claims it has not gone far enough to ease existing rules. The recommendations also fall some way behind the US approach allowing copying of significant parts of copyright works as long as it is deemed 'fair use'.

Minister for IP Baroness Wilcox, has indicated the government hopes to publish its full response before Parliament's summer recess at the end of July. Only then will the review's full significance be clear.