§ 35. Mr. Gorstasked the Minister for Trade what consultations he has had with representatives of the record and video industries on the subject of the extent to which their copyright is being infringed.
§ Dr. VaughanBodies representing the record and video industries have sent comments on the copyright Green Paper (Cmnd. 8302) to my Department, and they have indicated their concern at the level of copyright infringement. In addition, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre), when he was responsible for copyright law, met representatives of the record industry to discuss the matter. More recently the Under-Secretary of State has received representations from various sectors of the film and video industry on video piracy.
§ 36. Mr. Freudasked the Minister for Trade whether he has plans to amend section 23 of the Copyright Act 1956.
§ Dr. VaughanSection 23 of the Copyright Act 1956 established the performing right tribunal. Along with all other aspects of copyright, it is at present under review following the publication last July of the copyright Green Paper (Cmnd. 8302). The Green Paper made a number of proposals to extend the jurisdiction and change the procedure of the tribunal, but final decisions on the tribunal have not yet been taken.
§ 42. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Minister for Trade what consultations he has had concerning copyright legislation, in view of the expansion of cable television networks.
§ Dr. VaughanFollowing the publication in July last year of the Green Paper on copyright (Cmnd. 8302), which included some proposals relating to cable television, my Department has received comments from many interested parties. Submissions on the cable issue have come from bodies representing rights owners, the video industry, the cable television operators and journalists. Comments are still coming in at present.