§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will review the laws of copyright, with special reference to(a) the position in North America, (b) the implications of the new EU directive and (c) the impact of the internet; and if she will make a statement. [65593]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 1 July 2002]UK copyright law (the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) has proved remarkably "future-proof' as regards the challenges of the internet and electronic commerce but some modifications will be needed to implement EU Directive 2001/29/EC on copyright and related rights in the350W information society. The directive is required to be transposed into national laws by 22 December 2002. There will be consultation as part of the process with interested parties.