© The future: Keeping ahead of the game

David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, has today (16 December) launched a wide-ranging consultation by the Intellectual Property Office on the future shape of copyright. The aim is to ensure that the copyright system properly supports creativity, promotes investment and jobs while also inspiring the confidence of businesses and of users (as being fair and reasonable).

An ‘Issues Paper (485Kb)’ has been published on the Intellectual Property Office website to help start this debate. A series of meetings and events are also being arranged to enable interested parties to debate the key issues and possible solutions.

This initial period of consultation will run until February 2009 which will be followed by a ‘Discussion Paper’. The intention is to conclude this work in Summer 2009.

If you would like to post your comments or gain further information, please e-mail copyrightfuture@ipo.gov.uk