Lords to quiz BIS Minister on changes to copyright law
The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee will question Viscount Younger of Leckie, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Business Department (BIS), about proposed changes to copyright law, on Tuesday 6 May.
The House of Lords held a debate in Grand Committee on 5 December 2013 about the proposed changes, with which the Government want to update the framework of exceptions to copyright and rights in performances.
In March of this year, the Government laid five sets of Regulations to bring these changes into effect from June. The Regulations have generated a good deal of interest among copyright-holders and users of copyrighted works who would benefit from the exceptions.
The Committee will take evidence from Viscount Younger of Leckie from 3.45pm on Tuesday 6 May in Committee Room 3A of the House of Lords.
Areas the Committee will cover include:
- Why the Government have chosen secondary rather than primary legislation to make these changes?
- Why the Government wish to implement the changes from June of this year, given that their own timetable has slipped?
- Whether some of the changes, including the provisions on “fair dealing” and “contract override”, are likely to prompt legal proceedings?
