LACA’s response to a consultation on implementing a domestic orphan works licensing scheme and the EU Directive on certain permitted uses of orphan works.

(February 2014)

Background

Orphan works are copyright works for which one or more of the copyright owners cannot be found. At present, if the work is an orphan then it cannot be reproduced lawfully.

The Government’s orphan works scheme aims to address the issue of reproducing works when rights holders cannot be found.  Alongside the UK scheme, the Government is implementing the complementary EU orphan works Directive.

LACA is concerned that the cost for users of implementing the requirements of this proposed scheme, balanced against the perceived minimal benefits will render the licensing scheme redundant for the education and cultural sectors. These concerns are set out in the response.