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PA calls for one-stop-shop Digital Copyright Exchange

10.02.12 | Lisa Campbell

The Publishers Association has called for the creation of a Digital Copyright Exchange  (DCE), which would act as a "one stop shop" for the exchange of information about how to license copyright online.

The PA has argued the online platform would negate the need for "dangerous" changes to copyright law proposed by the government in parallel consultation on copyright.

In a submission to the feasibility study into the DCE, which closes today (10th February), the PA urged government to suspend progress of the parallel Copyright Consultation launched by the Intellectual Property Office late last year, which recommends "drastically weakening" copyright. The body thinks the proposals would remove or undermine the ability of rightsholders to develop licensing business models, and "go against the grain" of the market-based voluntary arrangements proposed in the DCE.

Richard Mollet, c.e.o of the PA, said: "With the creation of the Digital Copyright Exchange, we believe that the legislative changes – which are predicated on highly questionable research – proposed in the Intellectual Property Office's Copyright Consultation would be unnecessary. The Digital Copyright Exchange is the only credible option to improve licensing of intellectual property and will ensure that the creative industries remain a source of growth in the economy."

He added: "We believe this portal could be highly successful, but only if it remains as a platform where licenses can be negotiated, and not where prices or terms are imposed."

The DCE study follows from recommendations in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property, published in May of last year.

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