Read about the 2014 copyright law reforms and what they mean in practice.

CILIP and LACA have strongly supported the Government’s reform to copyright laws and we are delighted that the majority of these became law on 1 June 2014.  These are:

• The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Disability) Regulations 2014
• The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Research, Education, Libraries and Archives) Regulations 2014
• The Copyright (Public Administration) Regulations 2014

The Quotation and Parody Statutory Instrument was delayed at Committee Stage in Parliament. However on July 29th it also passed and came into force on October 1st 2014:

• The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Quotation and Parody) Regulations 2014

Why are these reforms so important?

Users’ liberties are enshrined in exceptions and limitations to copyright. Over the last 20 years these exceptions and limitations have been narrowed, while rights for copyright owners have been strengthened. 

These Regulations bring about a more balanced copyright regime. They are crucially import for not-for-profit libraries and archives in the digital age, helping them serve their users more effectively, and reduce costs and overheads, thereby leading to greater efficiency, innovation and improved research. These reforms ensure that the Government endorsed recommendations outlined in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property are fully met.

What has changed?

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has produced 8 targeted guides on the changes to copyright law and how they might have an impact on you.  These can be downloaded from the IPO website.

JISC has also issued guidance on its JISC Legal Information pages.

Naomi Korn and Ben White from LACA summarise what will change in this blog post.

Lobbying for modernisation

LACA lobbied hard for reform. Activity to support the draft exceptions includes:

• A letter to Vince Cable urging the Government to act swiftly to implement the legislation, which was signed by over 50 organisations
• A letter in the Times supporting the new exceptions, signed by LACA and 12 other bodies (the full letter is behind a paywall)
• Several letters to Lord Younger, Minister for Intellectual Property.