HL Deb 24 November 1970 vol 313 cc114-6WA
LORD CAWLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they contemplate amendment of the law to afford effective protection, by way of copyright or otherwise, to computer programmes.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

The Banks Committee on Patents has recommended that there should be no patent protection, at least for the time being, though it did not rule out protection by other means, such as the laws on breach of confidence and copyright. A preliminary international meeting on the subject will take place in Geneva in March, 1971. Meanwhile, we are keeping the question generally under review.

House adjourned at nineteen minutes past eight o'clock.