United Kingdom - public consultation on new exceptions to copyright infringement

The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) is calling for submissions in response to a consultation paper proposing new exceptions for copyright infringement. The proposals are based upon the changes recommended in The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property that was reported on in December 2006.

"The consultation considers how the Gowers recommendations on exceptions to copyright might be implemented in the UK." The proposed changes include modifying the education exception to allow distant education students to receive and view recordings of broadcasts remotely and also passages of printed works using interactive whiteboards, the introduction of 'format shifting' exceptions, a new exception for parody, expanding the range of materials covered in the research and private study exception, and also expanding the types of materials that can reproduced for perseveration and replacement by libraries and archives.

Submissions may be mailed to the UK-IPO or emailed to copyrightconsultation@ipo.gov.uk. The closing date for submissions is 8 April 2008.

Sources and for further information

UK Intellectual Property Office: Formal Consultations - Proposed changes to Copyright Exceptions

UK Intellectual Property Office - Copyright Exceptions consultation document [PDF]

HM Treasury: Independent Reports - The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property