COPYRIGHT AND CHARLES DICKENS

Early day motion 2720, tabled 8 February 2012 by John Whittingdale (Conservative). Signed by 41 members.

That this House notes the proposals in the consultation on the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property which relate to orphan works, extended collective licensing models and the regulation of licensing bodies; is concerned that the latest options include amendments to the current framework for licensing copyright works in the education sector not covered by the original review; believes that these proposals will undermine the principle that copyright should give access to the consumer while ensuring authors or creators are rewarded for their endeavours, and that the erosion of these licensing schemes would adversely affect the income of writers, undermine the incentives for copyright holders and lead to a decline in the breadth and quality of material available to schools, colleges and universities; recalls that Charles Dickens was a prolific and successful writer and a passionate advocate of the principle of copyright; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, in this year of the bicentenary of Dickens' birth, to ensure that the rights of all the UK's creative industries are properly protected.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 7, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.