New copyright proposals look to benefit educational and research institutions

Today the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) opens the second stage of a consultation looking at specific amendments to UK copyright legislation, as identified by Andrew Gowers in his review of Intellectual Property. It is vital that universities, schools and libraries have the tools to equip the students of today with the skills they need to complete their studies.

The proposed changes will better reflect the needs of the modern education system by allowing the use of sound recordings, films and broadcasts which are not currently covered by the exceptions.

The main proposals include:

• Educational Exceptions - to facilitate distance learning and the use of interactive whiteboards.
• Research and Private Study Exception - allowing all forms of content to be used in the course of study or research, if the student or researcher is linked to an educational establishment.
• Archiving and Preservation Exception - enabling appropriate organisations to make copies of all works in their permanent collections for archival purposes, format shifting where necessary.

Digitising culturally important works is necessary to prevent precious works becoming obsolete. By improving the ability of museums, galleries libraries and archives to preserve these works, they will be able to ensure the survival of a rich cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Further work on the other recommendations made by Gowers relating to format shifting and parody have to be considered against the wider context of the strategy set out in © the way ahead.

Notes to Editors

• The Digital Economy Bill looks at enforcement and some specific issues around licensing and access to works that have been brought into sharp relief by the emergence digital platforms in particular. The Copyright Strategy encourages industry solutions to access and also looks further afield to the EU for solutions in certain cases; Creative Britain focuses more broadly on supporting our creative industries.
• The consultation and its proposals are available. Stakeholders are invited to consider the details of the proposed legislative changes and respond by 31 March 2010.
• This second stage consultation follows on from numerous stakeholder meetings and 250 responses the Intellectual Property Office received from the first stage of the consultation.