Consultation on changes to penalties for online copyright infringement

A consultation on harmonising the maximum custodial sentence for online and offline copyright infringement of equal seriousness. (August 2015) In its response, LACA explains why it believes that the maximum custodial sentence for online and offline copyright infringement of equal seriousness should not be harmonised at 10 years and that the sentence for online copyright infringement should …

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Reducing the duration of copyright in unpublished (“2039”) works

Consultation about reducing the copyright term in certain unpublished text based works, engravings and anonymous artistic works (except photographs) from the end of 2039 to lifetime plus 70 years. (Dec 2014) At the moment the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works is to the end of 2039, regardless of how old the work is.  …

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Extension of Public Lending Right to e-books and audiobooks

The Government consulted on extending the Public lending Right (PLR) to audiobooks and e-books lent out from library premises. (March 2014) Whilst the proposal is welcome it is limited as, in the case of e-books, only those lent from library premises will be counted. The vast majority of e-books are lent remotely by public libraries and …

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Orphan Works consultation

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 …

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Technical consultation on draft secondary legislation for ECL schemes

LACA's response to a technical consultation on draft secondary legislation for extended collective licensing (ECL) schemes. (January 2014) Background ECL is a type of licensing that allows an authorised collecting society to extend an existing collective licence so that it can license on behalf of all rights holders in the sector, except those who opt …

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The Copyright (Regulation of relevant licensing bodies) Regulations 2014

The Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance's response to the consultation on the legal effectiveness of The Copyright (Regulation of relevant licensing bodies) Regulations 2014. (October 2013) Background The Government's policy intention is to strengthen confidence in the operation of collecting societies.  It took a power in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act that requires collecting societies …

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Technical review of draft legislation on copyright exceptions

LACA's review of the detail of the draft legislation implementing changes to copyright exceptions. (August 2013) Background In 2012 the Government consulted on making changes to copyright exceptions so that the UK's copyright framework remains relevant to the digital world. In "Modernising Copyright", the Government's response to the consultation, it committed to giving everyone an …

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Draft Ofcom Initial Obligations Code

The Draft Ofcom Initial Obligations Code consultation and the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance's briefing on the Code and its implications for libraries. (July 2012) Background In June 2012 Ofcom published a revised Initial Obligations Code for consultation. The Code is intended to set out how the Digital Economy Act will work in practice, by …

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