PRCA responds to Hargreaves Report on UK IP Copyright Law

London, 24 May 2011 - The PRCA today called on the Government to go further than the proposals outlined in the Hargreaves Independent Report, and in particular, to extend the copyright exemptions to include rendering on screen. Without this exemption the act of browsing content made freely available on the Internet will infringe copyright if it is read without a rights-holder licence.

The report, which examines whether the intellectual property (IP) regime and copyright law in the UK are fit for purpose, focuses on the need for the IP regime to support creativity and innovation but lacks implementable solutions. It fails to address this fundamental issue that will undermine the ability of UK plc to browse the Internet with confidence.

The PRCA, however, does welcome a number of the report's recommendations. In particular the recognition that:

o Collective licensing societies are powerful “natural monopolies” of supply that can create problems of domination, unfair consequences, promote interests over evidence in policy-making.
o The costs associated with copyright disputes are unaffordable for SMEs.

Richard Ellis, PRCA Communications Director, said “We are operating a parchment system in a digital era. Technological innovation will continue to outpace legislation and the prescriptive nature of the courts will result in legislation having unintended consequences. We need an IP system that is flexible, fast and cost effective.”

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Notes for Editors

Media enquiries - please contact Tom Hawkins, Research and Policy Executive - tom.hawkins@prca.org.uk / 020 7233 6026

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams and PR freelancers.  The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.

What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.

How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.

Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has more than 230 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 60 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations

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