§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultative arrangements are being set in motion with those organisations representing performing artists, sports men and women, regarding the proposed White Paper on reform of the law of copyright.
§ Mr. PattieThe White Paper "Intellectual Property and Innovation", which includes proposals for the reform of copyright law, was published on 15 April (Cmnd. 9712). This White Paper takes into account responses to earlier consultative documents, including representations from performing artists, sports men and women. No further formal consultations are envisaged. The Government will, however, consider any representations made to it on the White Paper. My Department has recently agreed to meet two organisations representing performing artists and those engaged in professional sport to discuss issues of copyright and performers' protection.