UK adds format shifting and parody to copyright laws
The UK government has proposed regulations to add format shifting, parody and non-commercial text mining to copyright laws.
After two major reviews, run by two different governments in 2006 and 2010, recommendations for greater flexibility in copyright have been tabled for voting in the UK. A debate and vote will follow at the start of June.
Calls to reform copyright gained momentum after protest against the Digital Economy Act, when policy makers and politicians felt that the debate was one-sided and focused on enforcement, while the fairness of the system had not been properly looked at. After the 2010 election, economic growth was prioritised, and copyright flexibility was recommended by the Hargreaves Review as one means to deliver new economic activity.
Format shifting, or private copying, will not be accompanied by a levy. Parody and pastiche can use copyright works, albeit that it has to be “fair dealing”. Non-commercial text mining should aid academic research, and other exceptions deal with academic research, education and disability.
Copyright: it’s a long fight to get it right (28.03.2014)
https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2014/copyright-its-a-long-fight-to-get-it-right
Lord Younger’s response to ORG’s Parody and Format Shifting Campaign (03.04.2014)
https://www.openrightsgroup.org/ourwork/letters/lord-youngers-response-to-orgs-parody-format-shifting-campaign
Thanks to ORG supporters copyright takes a great leap forward into the 21st century (27.03.2014)
https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2014/thanks-to-org-supporters-copyright-takes-a-great-leap-forward-into-the-21st-century
Changes to copyright law and guidance
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/hargreaves/hargreaves-copyright/hargreaves-copyright-techreview.htm
Tech Weekly Podcast: Jim Killock on why UK online culture is no joke (02.04.2014)
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2014/apr/02/podcast-tech-weekly-jim-killock
(Contribution by Jim Killock – EDRi member Open Rights Group – UK)