The Publishers Association Sees Strength of Hooper Approach to Streamlining Licensing

31 July 2012

Press Release London

London, 31 July 2012 – The Publishers Association (The PA) has given its support to Richard Hooper’s approach to streamlining copyright licensing in the UK as outlined in his Phase 2 report published today. Hooper’s report,“Copyright Works: streamlining licensing for the digital age”, recommends the creation of an industry-led Copyright Hub, for use by businesses and the public, which could allow rights to be licensed more efficiently and openly. The Copyright Hub follows on from recommendations made in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property, published in May 2011 and consulted on in the governments’ copyright consultation of December 2011.

The Copyright Hub will be voluntary, opt-in and pro-competitive and is intended to focus on high volume, low monetary value, low transaction cost licensing. The Copyright Hub will act as a source of information and education on copyright, a voluntary rights registry and a marketplace for rights. It will also have a role in being one of the reference sources for those seeking to use orphan works.

Richard Mollet, CEO of The Publishers Association, said: “The Phase 2 Report from Richard Hooper sets out a clear road-map for the creative industries to develop a Copyright Hub – a not-for-profit, industry-led, voluntary body.

“Since our submission to the Hargreaves Review in March 2011 The PA has consistently made the case that publishers are in the business of facilitating access and innovating services to ensure that works are available in the market. We have long believed this aim is best achieved through market solutions, working with the grain of copyright and not eroding it.

“We look forward to working with others in the publishing sector, and the music, film and TV industries, to take up Hooper’s challenge to take forward the proposal to develop the Copyright Hub”.

Notes to Editors

The Publishers Association

The Publishers Association is the leading trade organisation serving book, journal, audio and electronic publishers in the UK. Membership is comprised of 117 companies from across the trade, academic and education sectors. Its core service is representation and lobbying, around copyright, rights and other matters relevant to members, who represent roughly 80% of the industry by turnover. www.publishers.org.uk.

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 The Publishers Association - DCE Press Release 31 July 2012 (21.85 kB)