Apologies for cross-posting -  to those in HE/FE libraries: this message has already gone to LIS-Copyseek and it is likely that your institution has already voted; check with your institution's copyright person.

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The Government has recommended that all organisations managing copyright and performing rights on behalf of authors, performers, artists, broadcasters and publishers are subject to a Code of Conduct which incorporates minimum standards as set out by the Intellectual Property Office and the British Copyright Council. A Code of Conduct functions in a similar manner to a Service Level Agreement between the organisation and its users, setting out clear expectations and process for complaints.

In the past, some organisations and individuals have been subjected to over-zealous tactics by collecting societies such as PRS For Music and PPL (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8317952.stm). The introduction of Codes of Conduct will better enable individuals and organisations to challenge these types of approach.

Each collecting society's Code of Conduct will be reviewed by the Code Reviewer (to be selected later this year) to ensure that each organisation is abiding by the standards.

This vote relates to selecting two representatives from the user and licensee body to sit on the Panel which will appoint the Code Reviewer. It is extremely important that users and licensees are adequately represented on the Panel, which will also consist of representatives from the collecting societies, authors and publishers. The Panel will draft the job description and person specification for the Code Reviewer.

Please take a minute of your time to vote for the candidates who have been nominated by the user and licensee representatives. Information about the candidates is included on the survey pages:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDXJLLD

This vote will close at 5.00pm on Friday 22nd February.