Bruton seeks radical copyright reforms to boost digital industry

9^th May 2011

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton T.D. today [Monday 9^th May 2011] began a process of reform of Ireland’s copyright regime, in an effort to maximise the potential of digital industry in Ireland.

“I am determined that government will make whatever changes are necessary to allow innovative digital companies reach their full potential in Ireland. These companies make an enormous contribution to jobs and economic growth, and government must do everything it can to allow them to flourish and expand in Ireland.

“Some companies have indicated that the current copyright legislation does not cater well for the digital environment and actually creates barriers to innovation and to the establishment of new business models. Moving towards a US-style “fair use” doctrine is one suggestion that has been made.

“I am determined to respond to these suggestions in a comprehensive and timely manner. It is not wise to make changes to this extremely complex area of legislation without first considering the issues in detail.

“Therefore I have commenced a time-limited review of the law in the area to be conducted by three industry experts. The review will include a full consultation process with all relevant stakeholders, and the entire process will be complete within six months.

“If they find that there are changes that can be made, within the confines of EU and other law in this area, which can enhance the environment for innovation by digital companies, I will move swiftly to act”.

The Review of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 will identify any areas of the legislation that might be considered to create barriers to innovation, in the digital environment.

The Review Committee will be chaired by Dr. Eoin O’Dell of Trinity College, Dublin and will include Professor Steven Hedley of University College Cork and Ms. Patricia McGovern of DFMG Solicitors.

Details of the review and the Terms of Reference are available at http://www.deti.ie/science/ipr/copyright_review_2011.htm

Submissions to the Copyright Review Committee should be sent to copyrightreview@deti.ie or posted to Copyright Review, Room 517, Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Submissions should be received by close of business on Thursday 30^th June 2011.

ENDS

Biographies of Committee Members

Dr. Eoin O'Dell BCL(NUI), BCL(Oxon), PhD (Cantab), FTCD, Barrister-at-Law. Dr O'Dell lectures Contract, Restitution and Freedom of Expression, researches and publishes primarily in the fields of private and commercial law, and has been President of the Irish Association of Law Teachers and Editor of the Dublin University Law Journal.

Patricia McGovern is Chairman and Head of the Intellectual Property Department and the Corporate and Commercial Department of DFMG Solicitors. Ms. McGovern has practised in almost all areas of corporate and commercial law and advises on all aspects of intellectual property law.  She is regarded as one of the leading intellectual property lawyers in Ireland and has considerable experience in advising on brand strategies, protection strategies for patents, trade marks, designs and copyright, and on all contentious aspects in intellectual property to include trade mark, copyright and design infringement actions.

Professor Stephen William Hedley BSc, MA(Oxon), LLB (Cantab), Barrister (Middle Temple), Head of Department of Law, UCC. Professor Hedley joined the Faculty in September 2003, after 18 years at Cambridge in England. He graduated from Oxford in 1980, completing a Masters' at Cambridge in 1981 and the Bar Finals in London in 1982. He has written textbooks on Tort (latest edition 2002) and Restitution (2001), as well as an account of the theory of Restitution (Restitution: Its division and ordering, 2001). He has also co-edited (with M Halliwell) a reference work on Restitution, compiled two books of statutory materials, and runs a website on restitutionary issues.

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