infoJustice

The UK plans to modernize intellectual property law by implementing the recommendations in the May 2010 Hargreaves report.  It announcement highlighted reforms including exceptions to copyright for private copying, parody, and text and data mining by researchers, as well as the creation of a copyright exchange to facilitate licensing, and the establishment of clearance procedures for orphan works.   Secretary Vince Cable said in his announcement: “The Government is focused on boosting growth and the Hargreaves review highlighted the potential to grow the UK economy. By creating a more open intellectual property system it will allow innovative businesses to develop new products and services which will be able to compete fairly in the UK’s thriving markets for consumer equipment.”

The government’s stated goal is to “to have measures in place by the end of this Parliament.”

The UK also released a revised IP Crime Strategy.  Its exectuve summary indicates that the new strategy will focus on “Developing cost-effective, evidence-led and credible measurements of IP crime and its impact; Engaging and co-ordinating resources concerned with IP crime; Seeking more efficient and effective means of working together and working more smartly; Building with industry better and more sophisticated preventive measures aimed not just at prosecution, but disrupting the means by which criminals commit and benefit from IP crime, leading to a reduction in harm; Integrating IP crime enforcement with other areas of criminality, contributing and benefitting from best practice and specifically engage with Organised Crime Mapping techniques; and Continuing the excellent work at international levels to enhance legitimate trade and disrupt illegal conduct.”

Original Documents:

• Press release. UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. “Sweeping intellectual property reforms to boost growth and add billions to the economy.” August 3, 2011.
• UK Intellectual Property Office. “Government response to the Hargreaves Review.”
• UK Intellectual Property Office. “Prevention and Cure: The UK IP Crime Strategy 2011.”
• The Hargreaves Report. (“Digital Opportunity: A Review of Intellectual Property and Growth.” An independent report by Professor Ian Hargreaves.) May 2011.