UK Intellectual Property Office Consultation Offers Hope for Museums
10th Jan, 2008
Following discussions with MDA and other sector bodies, the UK Intellectual Property Office has launched a Copyright Exceptions Consultation which could significantly simplify the management of collections for museums.
Launched on the 8th January at the British Library, the Consultation builds on the 2006 Gowers Review of Intellectual Property which proposed a number of modifications to existing rules to improve access to and use of copyright material.
MDA has lobbied for two specific exceptions to copyright law, both of which are included in the Consultation document. These are:
- The ability for museums to make copies of works in their collections for the purposes of preservation
- Exemptions concerning the copying of parody-style works
Naomi Korn, MDA IP Officer commented, 'MDA welcomes the inclusion of these potential exemptions in the Copyright Exemption Consultation document. Being able to copy works for preservation purposes would help the sector conserve their collections in perpetuity for the benefit of the nation. The exemption for parody-style works would mean that curators could handle these sometime complex works in confidence.
MDA is working closely with the UK Intellectual Property Office and others to ensure that museums can make the most of their collections for their users while minimising the potential for infringing copyright.'
The Copyright Exemptions Consultation runs to April 2008, and a copy of the full document is available to download at www.ipo.gov.uk/consult-copyrightexceptions.htm.
Museums interested in MDA's work on Copyright can download a copy of the Intellectual Property Manifesto at www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright.
Notes for Editors
MDA is the UK's focus for standards, expertise and advice in the professional management of collections, and a leading organisation in the provision of intellectual property support to the sector.
The MDA IP Advisory Committee was created to establish a position statement on IP and collections, and to instruct the future development of MDA's work on IP and rights management. Members include representatives from the Bridgeman Art Library, DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the British Library, BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies), Finers Stephens Innocent LLP, CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), Museums Copyright Group, the National Portrait Gallery, Farrer & Co LLP, the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA) and the Strategic Content Alliance.
To arrange an interview with Nick Poole, or to find out more about the work of MDA, email Eleanor Lovegrove, MDA Marketing Officer, at eleanor@mda.org.uk or call on 01223 310377 (direct line).
MDA is funded in England by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), in Scotland by the Scottish Museums Council and in Wales by CyMAL through the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.
