Copyright body for creative industry

A Government-led initiative, Creative Industries Forum on Intellectual Property, was launched last week to spearhead the fight against intellectual property infringement.

Jointly chaired by Arts Minister Estelle Morris and Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury, the organisation will look at ways of protecting and maximising the creative sector’s £54.8bn contribution to the British economy in light of ‘rapid technological developments’.

Its 25 members include eight representatives from the Westminster and devolved administrations. Creative industry luminaries such as Design Council chief executive David Kester, UK Film Council chief executive John Woodward and Digital Content Forum chair Angela Mills Wade, also sit on the forum.

‘This is about recognising that new technology brings with it lots of new opportunities and ideas,’ says a Department of Trade and Industry spokesman.

‘We wanted to get a broad range of experts together to look at how you make sure the creative industries are able to take advantage of these opportunities, and are in a position to maximise them. Part of that process is looking at intellectual property rights.’

The forum will meet again within a few months, ‘subject to people’s commitments’, and also plans to launch a dedicated website, according to the spokesman.

Among issues mooted for members’ discussion are: strategies for increasing the creative industries’ opportunities in a digital environment; business models; education and awareness raising; and challenges such as file-sharing and piracy.