ISPA welcomes today’s linked announcements that future Government policy will take a more measured and balanced approach to the use and exploitation of IPRs.
To really address the issue of online copyright infringement, ISPA maintains that the content industry needs to develop attractive new business models taking into account developments that the Internet has brought, rather than reproducing existing models. There also needs to be more education of users, effective, fully-licensed services and modernisation of copyright laws.
We are therefore pleased that the Government has broadly accepted the recommendations of the Hargreaves Review. In particular, we welcome the recommendations on the need for improved evidence-based policy making and efforts to make licensing easier and more flexible, together with the affirmation that there is no intention to move towards a levy-based system.
The commitment to press ahead with DEA implementation, despite the flawed evidence base underpinning it, is disappointing. Although ISPs will no longer be obliged to contribute to the costs of Ofcom and the independent appeals body in setting up and administering the regime, ISPA is still concerned that other costs, such as the 25 per cent towards notification of users as well as costs of implementation, will be a significant burden on them. These may be passed on to customers and deter digital inclusion.
It is not consistent with the beneficiary pays principle that rights holders, as the sole beneficiaries who have been lobbying hard for this for many years, should not be responsible for all costs associated with the system – including the appeals process for consumers.
ISPA strongly welcomes the conclusion of independent work by Ofcom which has found that the blocking aspects of the DEA are problematic and ineffective. ISPA has long argued that blocking is an ineffective and regressive means to address online copyright infringement. We are glad that Government has decided not to introduce web blocking measures at this time.
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Notes to the editor:
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 7340 8741).