Stop43.org.uk is a new EPUK campaign site against the Digital Economy Bill provisions for orphan works licensing (OWL) and extended collective licensing (ECL) as currently specified. Because Government has failed to address photographers' concerns and is trying to rush this legislation through Parliament without the opportunity for proper debate or amendments to clause 43 (formerly S42), getting S43 removed from the Bill is necessary.

http://www.stop43.org.uk

The Intellectual Property Office put up a page to reassure photographers just over a week ago. It reflects the Government position regarding orphan works provision in the Digital Economy Bill, and what Labour MP's are being told when they raise the matter with relevant ministers. Unfortunately it signals continuing failure to understand the issues. We find it necessary to yet again attempt to explain to this constitutionally deaf Government why, although nobody objects to genuine, non-profit use of cultural orphans for the public good, what it has constructed is a recipe for abuse and destruction.

Many MP's have now received many letters, with variable results. Some have been conscientious and actually attempted to think about the issues, with generally supportive replies. Very few have written back that they think it a splendid Bill that is just what photography needs. Most have lazily ducked their constituent's request and referred to senior colleagues who've provided a form response that fails to answer points raised.

Politicians not listening is the trouble we have had through years of consultation and it just isn't good enough. Both Labour and Tory parties still do not understand the problems

Live broadcast now:  Now concluded.

The Report stage of the Lords hearing of the Digital Economy Bill recommences today, Monday March 8th. The following briefing has been prepared by photographers for Lords and other interested parties. Please distribute. Downloadable versions are available from links at the bottom of the page.

THE DIGITAL ECONOMY BILL, SECTIONS 42 & 45 :
A COMMENTARY

The Digital Economy Bill returns to the Lords on Monday 8th March to continue its Report stage hearing. A lengthy list of new amendments to S42 has just been published at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldbills/032/amend/ml03...

Major changes to S42 include:

144 (Lord Razzall) Amendment to remove S42

EPUK has produced two briefing documents aimed at business and the advertising industry.

Today's Intellectual Property Office meeting with 14 photographers' representative organisations about the Digital Economy Bill produced few surprises on either side.

Issues raised by photographers included exclusive contracts, works owned by aliens, model releases, and privacy issues surrounding minors and private social photographs that are protected from publication, all of which would be undermined by orphan licensing.

The IPO spent some time not answering these points but explaining the nuances

In a grotesquely ill-timed move, the Directgov "Science: so what?"

Several amendments to the Orphan Works section of the Digital Economy Bill have been tabled by Lord Mandelson today, ahead of tomorrows IPO meeting with photographers' representative organisations. There are no changes to the Bill that we regard as significant or