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UK Reviewing Copyright Laws

Posted by samzenpus on from the take-another-look dept.

Uebergeek writes "It looks like the UK is going to be reviewing its copyright laws. Prime Minister David Cameron specifically cites the US's Fair Use doctrine as something they wish to incorporate into their own laws... apparently they wish to 'encourage the sort of creative innovation that occurs in America.' One can only assume that they've been missing the continual assault on the Fair Use doctrine here in the States."

7 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm.... by Count+Fenring · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One can only assume that they've been missing the continual assault on the Fair Use doctrine here in the States.

    Well, I guess that they might see the value in the law as written, even if that doesn't tend to be how the law plays out.

    1. Re:Hmmm.... by QuantumG · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yeah, they might even enshrine fair use as a right.. rather than merely as a "defense" to a civil lawsuit as it is in the US.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
  2. Re:Great by B1oodAnge1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Being better for business isn't necessarily the opposite of being better for the people.

    Being better for an outmoded and artificially supported business model certainly is bad for the people, mind you.

    --
    RUGBYRUGBYRUGBY
  3. Copyright cuts both ways by j-b0y · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While we desperately need some sanity injected into the system after the Digital Britain Bill, I suspect this is going to really favour big-media's use of our copyrighted work.

    "He said the law could be relaxed to allow greater use of copyright material without the owner's permission."

    There must be plenty of companies drooling at the idea of smash and grab raids on flickr accounts and GPL'd software.

    --
    Please remain calm, there is no reason to pani... wait, where are you all going?
  4. Re:Great by The+Mgt · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's unlikely to end up a positive thing for the people.

    Indeed. If you read down this a bit you'll notice that they also want US style software patents. Idiots.

  5. Re:Great by jonbryce · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think the main problem though is big corporations vs small startups rather than business vs the people. We need the small startups to create the jobs that will get us out of the recession and I hope he realises that.

  6. Re:Great by spisska · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Name one "business model" that isn't artificially supported by laws?

    Drugs?

    You'll note that even the biggest busts, e.g. the seizure of 30 tons of cannabis last week in San Diego, seem to have no effect whatsoever on either supply or pricing.

    You'll also note that organized crime and violence go hand-in-hand because criminal groups have no other means other than loose, mafia-style collusion to resolve disputes.

    The fact is that we want laws to protect property and business models. If you disagree, I suggest moving your business operations to Mogadishu.