§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what opportunity there will be for interested individuals to make representations to him before publication of the White Paper on copyright.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerMy Department received several hundred representations in response to the Green Paper on "Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection" (Cmnd 8302) published in 1981. Although consideration of these views and formulation of policy are now well advanced, we will take into account any further representations which are received before the Government's legislative proposals are finalised.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has had an opportunity of considering the judgment of the Court of Appeal in British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd. v. Armstrong Patents Co. Ltd.; and if he has any proposals for the reform of the law of copyright in the light of those judgments.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe protection of functional designs by copyright was discussed in the Green Paper "Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation" (Cmnd. 9117) and is now being examined during our formulation of views on the Green Paper. The judgment of the Court of Appeal in British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd. v. Armstrong Patents Co. Ltd. will be taken fully into account.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consultations he has had recently with interested bodies on the subject of copyright;
335W(2) whether he has had exchanges with other member Governments of the European Economic Community on the subject of copyright;
(3) what consultations he has had with interested bodies about possible restrictions on the freedom to make photocopies of documents, manuscripts, magazines and books.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe Green Paper on "Coyright, Designs and Performers' Protection", published in 1981, sought views widely, and my Department has been in consultation with many interested organisations and individuals since then. These consultations have included many on the subject of photocopying of copyright material.
There have so far been no exchanges on copyright with other Governments within the European Community. The Commission is expected to publish its proposals on copyright harmonisation later this year, and discussions will then take place with the Commission and between member states.