SABIP & Strategic Priorities For Copyright

Dear reader

SABIP (Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property), which was established in June 2008 as a follow-up to the Gowers Review, this week published its paper 'Strategic Priorities For Copyright'. It identifies six areas for its work programme:-

1. The role of the copyright system in fostering creativity and innovation.
2. Issues concerning the ownership and coverage of copyright.
3. Rights management techniques and technologies.
4. The relationship between copyright and contract law.
5. Possible simplification of the copyright framework.
6. The implications of changing attitudes and practices among consumers.

So pretty fundamental questions! But underlying all these issues is the single, central question which is posed on page 11 of the Paper: "Does the paradigm shift towards a digital economy necessitate an equally fundamental adaptation of the copyright framework or its component parts? Alternatively, can innovation within the existing framework bring about effective adaptation in a more incremental way?"

I can't comment too much because I am a member of SABIP's Copyright  Expert Panel which provided input to SABIP. But I would encourage everyone who has an interest or stake in copyright to give their views to info@sabip, preferably by the end of May. Don't feel that learned treatises are essential. Short submissions on particular issues, especially where supported by evidence or practical experience, will be equally valuable.

Laurie Kaye

 

Comments

[peter]

Here's an article which is rather hyperbolic. But the Kultiman work it relates to is really, really, interesting.

http://www.43folders.com/2009/03/11/kutiman

Sample quote:

"Unsolicited tip for media company c-levels: if your reaction to this crate of magic is “Hm. I wonder how we’d go about suing someone who ‘did this’ with our IP?” instead of, “Holy crap, clearly, this is the freaking future of entertainment,” it’s probably time to put some ramen on your Visa and start making stuff up for your LinkedIn page.

Because, this is what your new Elvis looks like, gang. And, eventually somebody will figure out (and publicly admit) that Kutiman, and any number of his peers on the “To-Sue” list, should be passed from Legal down to A&R. "