On Wed, 2006-12-06 at 13:08 +0000, Alex Hudson wrote: > I haven't seen the full thing yet
I have now :D http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report/prebud_pbr06/other_docs/prebud_pbr06_odgowers.cfm For: * introduction of private copying right for format-shifting (could this be DRM-busting? wouldn't be retrospective, see points below) * unlocking of 'orphan works' * no change on audio copyright term length * adopt principle of no retrospective changes to IP law * broader rights for libraries * new exception in copyright for parodies * "Maintain policy of not extending patent rights beyond their present limits within the areas of software, business methods and genes." - this is an important principle!! * Says vague things about patent quality * Accelerated grant process for patents * Says vague things about IP and competitiveness Against: * Support for the community patent idea to reduce costs of IP litigation. COMPAT isn't a bad idea per se, but that is seen as a back-door route to software patents again * Stronger penalties associated with IP infringement? Whether this is actually bad depends on the implementation I suspect. * Lots about sending the lawyers to Africa to educate the poor people about TRIPS. Hooray for civilised white men. * ISPs making data available to rights holders to get the pirates Unsure: * voluntary copyright register - UKPO gets more work to do :/ * Investiation of DRM labelling system. Eh. * "Open standards" web database - I don't totally understand this proposal. Seems to be about patents. * New EU court to mediate cross-border IP infringement * Secondment for IP policy staff at UKPO * UKPO becomes UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) On balance, not really that much to shout about, some things to be displeased about, but some of the principles it propounds look pretty good. Cheers, Alex. _______________________________________________ Fsfe-uk mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk
