§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the introduction of a levy on the copying onto tape of television programmes and music CDs; and if he will make a statement. [72218]
928W
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 February 1999]: We are aware from a number of sources of the concerns of consumers and others that a draft EC Directive on copyright in the information society may require levies to be imposed on blank tapes. These concerns stem from proposed amendments to the Directive recently adopted by the European Parliament, which would require right owners to be compensated where exceptions to their rights permitting private copying are provided in national law. However, the outcome on the Directive is not yet clear since negotiations in the Council of Ministers are still at a relatively early stage, and it cannot be adopted until both the Council and the Parliament agree. In the UK, there is an exception allowing home recording of broadcasts to enable viewing or listening at a more convenient time, and we do not consider that a levy would be justified for this. The position on private copying of music CDs is different since in general there is no exception in the UK permitting this, and we envisage that it would remain subject to authorisation by right owners.