Seek legal advice to prevent being charged under new copyright laws

Persons must seek legal advice to avoid breaching new copyright laws if they come into effect.

The government has proposed a series of reforms to the UK's copyright system, in an attempt to remove barriers to growth.

Following the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth, the consultation is part of a wider programme to tackle online infringement to copyright and ensure that the system encourages creativity.

Under the new proposals, an exception will be introduced to allow limited acts of private copying, including copying a CD to an MP3 player.

The exception for non-commercial research will also be widened to allow data mining and an exception for parody and pastiche will be introduced.

New laws will establish licensing and clearing procedures for orphan works, and voluntary extended collective licensing schemes will be introduced.

Commenting on the proposals, Baroness Wilcox, minister for intellectual property, stated: "The Government is focused on boosting growth and some freeing up of existing copyright legislation can deliver real value to the UK economy without risking our excellent creative industries.

The reforms have also received the backing of Consumer Focus, which believes that the proposals will bring the law in line with technological advances and plans for economic growth.

Published by Phil Hammond