2009/1/24 Andrew Turvey raturvey@yahoo.co.uk:

The UK government are currently running a consultation on "Developing a Copyright Agenda for the 21st century" The website is here:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-types/pro-copy/c-notice/c-notice-2008/c-notice-200...

and the deadline for responses is 6th February.

Andrew

Hmm I'll send them a response this weekend.

"Q. Does the current system provide the right balance between commercial certainty and the rights of creators and creative artist? Are creative artists sufficiently rewarded/protected through their existing rights?"

I suspect that is probably related to looking to extend the 50 year term on recordings. FWIW as far as wikipedia is concerned no since database rights produce significant commercial certainty while reducing the rights of of creators and creative artists.

"Q. Does the current copyright system provide the right incentives to sustain investment and support creativity? Is this true for both creative artists and commercial rights holders? Is this true for physical and online exploitation? Are those who gain value from content paying for it (on fair and reasonable terms)?"

Not sure what they are getting at here. ISP action against file sharing?

"Q. What action, if any, is needed to address issues related to authentication? In considering the rights of creative artists and other rights holders is there a case for differentiation? If so, how might we avoid introducing a further complication in an already complicated world?"

At a guess I'd say this is related to the orphan works issue and looking to adopt the "disenfranchise the little guy" approach. Either that or DRM.