The Dangers of Weakening Copyright

The Times has today published a letter from 7 copyright licensing agencies, working together under the banner Licensing UK. It draws attention to potential threats to the creative economy arising from broad exceptions to copyright being proposed in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill.

The text of the letter is below and the full Licensing UK statement, supported by 21 copyright management organisations working on behalf of creators and publishers can be found here

Sir, The UK’s creative sector stands united with the shared concern that the Government’s future intent is to erode creators’ rights and their ability to make a fair living from their work.

The Intellectual Property Office will imminently publish its copyright exceptions policy statement. Cloaked in the guise of simplicity for consumers, the Government seems to be set on an irreversible course that will damage both economic and cultural growth. The effect will be that these proposed changes to copyright law will mean that British authors, songwriters, publishers, performers, artists, film and TV producers and many others stand to lose.

It is mainly US technology companies that stand to benefit from such a permanent value transfer. Creators and creative businesses are pro-consumer. All they seek is the right to license businesses where value is being created. That’s fair and equitable. Cutting off a creator’s right to earn isn’t.

David Pugh, Managing Director, Newspaper Licensing Agency;

Robert Ashcroft, CEO, PRS for Music;

Lavinia Carey, Director-General, British Video Association;

Gilane Tawadros, Chief Executive, Design and Artists Copyright Society;

Mark Pemberton, CEO, Association of British Orchestras;

Deborah Annetts, CEO, Incorporated Society of Musicians;

Peter Leathem, CEO, PPL

David Pugh

Managing Director, NLA