The Copyright Directive (2001/29/EC) UK Implementation

European Community Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (Athe Directive@) entered into force on 22 June 2001. The Directive harmonises rights in certain key areas, primarily to meet the challenge of the Internet and e-commerce, and digital technology in general. It also deals with exceptions to these rights and legal protection for technological aspects of rights management systems. This consultation concerns the precise way that UK law in this area should be amended in order to comply with the Directive.

This consultation is directed primarily at organisations representing (1) creators and owners of copyright and related rights, (2) consumers and users of works protected by such rights, and (3) intermediaries including on-line service and network providers, manufacturers of hardware, content distributors and developers of rights management systems.