Britain’s new IP task force
p2p news / p2pnet: Britain has the very dubious distinction of being the first country in the world to have created a police force dedicated solely to looking after entertainment industry and software cartel interests.
The unit, funded by tax-payers who weren’t given an opportunity to say whether or not they were willing to pay for it, hasn’t yet been named. But we’re sure your suggestions will be welcomed.
To strongly drive home the message that Britain has the best interests of Hollywood and Bill and the Boyz at heart, James Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer, last year delegated Andrew Gowers to lead an independent review to examine the UK`s intellectual property framework.
Who he? Gowers is the once editor of the Financial Times and he’ll be, “assisted by a small secretariat of civil service officials”.
Now, a formal call for evidence is slated for February 23. The review will report to Brown, the secretary of state for trade and industry and the secretary of state for culture, media and sport this autumn, says the review site., also stating:
“While it has been suggested that the present UK system strikes broadly the right balance between consumers and rights-holders, it also appears that there are a variety of practical issues with the existing framework. The Review will look at both the instruments (patents, copyright, designs etc.) that are provided by government to protect creative endeavour, and also at the operations: how IP is awarded, how it is licensed in the market, and how it is enforced. The Review will examine whether improvements could be made and, as appropriate, make targeted and practical policy recommendations.”
Stay tuned.
Also See:
cartel interests – UK’s new anti-pirate police, February 23, 2006
