Pictured above: Pina McAleer
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, of Midlands' law firm Harvey
Ingram, has been following 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.
For more information about Harvey Ingram, please visit their
website here: www.harveyingram.com