Written answers

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Copyright Legislation Review

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to receive the final recommendations of the Copyright Review Committee; the timeframe in terms of new legislation being drafted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41591/12]

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An independent Copyright Review Committee was established in May 2011 to examine the Irish copyright and legislative framework to identify areas that might be deemed to create barriers to innovation and to make recommendations to resolve any problems identified. The ‘fair use’ doctrine was also to be examined to see if it would be appropriate in an Irish/EU context.

The Committee conducted an initial consultation during the summer of 2011 and received submissions from a broad spectrum of interested parties. It published a comprehensive Consultation Paper in February, 2012 which examined the current legislative framework. It set out issues raised in the submissions, and requested responses to specific questions.

Further submissions were invited from those interested in these issues including Rights-holders, Collecting Societies, Intermediaries, Users, Entrepreneurs and Heritage Institutions. A public meeting was held on 24th March for the purpose of facilitating discussion in relation to the Consultation Paper. In the region of 180 submissions were received in which many complex and substantial matters were raised and these are currently being appraised by the Committee.

The Committee has indicted that it expects to submit its final Report containing recommendations and a draft Bill before March next year. Detailed consideration of the recommendations should then proceed immediately. As the number and complexity of proposals will not be known until then, nor whether detailed Regulatory Impact Analyses will be required, it is difficult to put a time frame on the process save to say that every effort will be made to have the matter expedited.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.