§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had with European Economic Community countries concerning the harmonisation of copyright laws and related matters; and if he will consider seeking to amend the copyright laws to ensure that copyright should always vest with the creator and should be inalienable from him.
§ Mr. EyreThere have been no discussions with other Community countries concerning the harmonisation of copyright laws. However, according to its programme for 1980, the Commission intends making proposals for directives aimed at the harmonsiation of laws on (a) the duration of copyright and (b) resale rights to ensure payment to artists of a share in any profit made on sales of their works. The Government will take part in discussions on any drafts which emanate from the Commission on these subjects. The question of ownership of copyright will be dealt with in the Green Paper which is currently being prepared following the report of the Whitford Committee on copyright and designs (Cmnd. 6732).