Review into the intellectual property framework

On the 2 December 2005, at the Advancing Enterprise Conference, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a review into the Intellectual Property Framework.

The review will provide an analysis of the performance of the UK IP system, including:

• the way in which Government administers the awarding of IP and their support to consumers and business;
• how well businesses are able to negotiate the complexity and expense of the copyright and patent system, including copyright and patent licensing arrangements, litigation and enforcement; and
• whether the current technical and legal IP infringement framework reflects the digital environment, and whether provisions for 'fair use’ by citizens are reasonable.

The review will be conducted by Andrew Gowers and will report in the autumn of 2006. Further details are available on the HM Treasury review website.