Gowers review supported by UK Government

6 December, 2006

The UK Government's 'Gowers' Review of intellectual property published on 6 December, recommends (amongst other things)

• A 'private copying' exception to copyright so that within a private household people can copy material from one format to another
• Enabling access to content for libraries and educational establishments, to facilitate storage for preservation and access for learning - by clarifying the exceptions to copyright
• Keeping the 50-year term of copyright protection for sound recordings and performers' rights

The Government intends to take forward the recommendations for which it is responsible.

Gowers review
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/53F/C8/pbr06_gowers_report_755.pdf

Government response:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/571/B7/pbr06_chapter3.pdf

SCONUL's response to Gowers review (21 April 2006)
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/51C/C0/society_of_college_national_and_university_libraries_443_35kb.pdf