Dear Bruce and colleagues
You may be interested to know that the BL is chairing a meeting of
nominated representatives of the principal library and archive
organisations on 29 March to compare notes on these issues and to
explore the potential for consortial action on IP and consitent evidence
submissions to Gowers. This builds upon the model which proved so
successful in persuading Government to amend the Terrorism Bill in
respect of clauses impacting on libraries.
Best wishes.
Dr Clive Field
Director of Scholarship and Collections
The British Library
-----Original Message-----
From: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bruce Royan
Sent: 16 March 2006 12:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Gowers review of the UK Intellectual Property Framework
Andrew Gowers has been commissioned by Government to carry out an
independent review of the intellectual property, and Gowers has now
issued a Call for Evidence, which consists of a covering letter and an
Issues Paper:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/97F/F4/gowers_callletter_230206.pdf
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/978/9B/gowers_callforevidence230206.
pdf
The closing date for submissions is Friday 21 April. Make no mistake,
the powerful and well-funded lobby representing publishers and other
rights-holders is likely to take this opportunity, and the excuses of
globalization and technological change, to try to limit the activities
of libraries still further. It is important that librarians and their
representatives submit clear and well-argued evidence for freedom of
information, open access and fair use.
Much of the content of the Issues Paper relates to patents, trade marks
etc and seems of only peripheral interest to libraries, but Gowers
expects to rule on a number of issues relating to our core business,
including:
-Extension of protection of sound recordings beyond 50 years
-Possible changes to "fair dealing" exceptions
-Extent to which Digital Rights Management technologies should
be allowed to interfere with legitimate access and usage rights (fair
use, interoperability, preservation, ultimate expiry of copyright term
etc)
-Permissions to use works whose rights owners cannot be traced
("Orphans")
I have no doubt that CILIP will inform us that they are already on the
case, and preparing a top-notch submission on these and other issues. In
the meantime, perhaps interested players may want to use this list to
discuss what this submission should contain?
Bruce
******************************************
Prof Bruce Royan www.concurrentcomputing.co.uk
41 Greenhill Gardens, Edinburgh, EH10 4BL, UK
+44 131 4473151 +44 77 1374 4731
******************************************
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