www.ipo.gov.uk/

The Government have today released details of proposals for modernising the copyright system and removing unnecessary barriers to growth.  The consultation, which follows recommendations in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth, is part of a wider programme that includes action to tackle online infringement of copyright.

The proposals include creating an exception to allow limited acts of private copying, widening the exception for non-commercial research to allow data mining, establishing licensing and clearance procedures for ‘orphan works’ (material with unknown copyright owners), and modernising other copyright exceptions including those for education, quotation and people with disabilities.

The consultation is open until 21 March.

For further details, visit the IPO website at: www.ipo.gov.uk