Copyright law is undergoing a process of reform to adapt to the many challenges of the information society and the growing impetus for EU harmonization. As early as 2006 the Gowers Review for Intellectual Property identified seven main areas that needed to be revised and made recommendations on improving the UK IP system. In 2010 professor Hargreaves was commissioned by the prime minister Cameron to review the IP system and suggest areas of possible improvement; the Review published in 2011 made 10 recommendations to “ensure that the UK has an IP framework best suited to supporting innovation and promoting economic growth in the digital age”. Some of the proposed amendments to copyright law have entered into effect in June 2014.
CIPPM is committed to research into both normative and analytical aspects of copyright reform. In the last years, the Centre has worked closely with the UK Intellectual Property Office on providing analysis and evidence to inform the Hargreaves Review implementation and to support the lawmaking process. Research carried out by CIPPM include Kretschmer’s widely cited study on private copy levies, a report on the regulation of orphan works and a cutting-edge empirical research on the economic effects of parody and pastiche (in collaboration with CEMP). CIPPM has also promoted seminars and workshops on foundational aspects of copyright law, and has contributed to various consultation exercises at EU and UK level. In November 2015, the Centre has hosted a symposium on Copyright reform: the implications one year on.
CIPPM advocates for a copyright policy that brings a better balance between the interests of creators, investors and consumers.
- D. Mendis – CRM Directive: An Analysis
- H. Bosher and D. Mendis – Swings and Roundabouts
- D. Mendis and V. Stobo – Extended Collective Licensing in UK – One Year On
- J. Sterling and D. Mendis – Structure of Protection in J. Sterling and T. Cook (eds.) Sterling on World Copyright Law
- K. Erickson, P. Heald, F. Homberg, M. Kretschmer and D. Mendis – Copyright and the Value of the Public Domain
- D. Mendis and V. Stobo – UK: Extended Collective Licensing (2014)
- M. Favale, M. Kretschmer, D. Mendis, F. Homberg and D. Secchi – A Comparative Review of the Treatment of Orphan Works (2013)
- F. Homberg, M. Favale, M. Kretschmer, D. Mendis and D. Secchi – Orphan Works
- R. Towse – The quest for evidence on the economic effects of copyright law
- D. Mendis – Digital Economy Act 2010: Fighting a losing battle?