HL Deb 30 October 1956 vol 199 c1169

Clause 12, page 18, line 6, leave out ("twenty-five") and insert ("fifty")

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, Amendment No. 31 is about Clause 12, which, of course, deals with quite a different matter—namely, copyright in sound recordings. In view of the decisions to give a 50-year period of copyright protection to films and photographs, the Government considered that it would be invidious to maintain the Copyright Committee's recommendation of a 25-year period in relation to such quasi-industrial subjects of copyright as remain—namely, sound recordings, television broadcasts and sound broadcasts. This Amendment restores to sound recordings the 50-year period of protection which records enjoy under the Act of 1911. I shall be moving a similar Amendment in relation to television broadcasts and sound broadcasts. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved. That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Mancroft.)

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, I think the Government are wise in this provision. It makes for uniformity, and it is one of the things that we pressed for during the time of the passage of this Bill through this House. We on this side support the Amendment.

On Ouestion, Motion agreed to.