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posted by CoolHand on Monday December 14 2015, @02:51AM   Printer-friendly
from the tightening-the-screws dept.

The United Kingdom is holding a consultation as to when a provision of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 should take effect. Copyright in works of artistic craftsmanship—utilitarian objects (even if mass-produced) which are deemed artistic—shall be extended. Currently, the copyright lasts for 25 years after an item is first offered for sale; the new term will be for the life of the creator, then another 70 years. This means that some works which are now in the public domain will become copyrighted. Publishers of derivative works of such items, for example a book or film in which a work of artistic craftsmanship was photographed, will be obliged to obtain permissions, except for uses which fall under fair dealing.

The provisions may come into effect as soon as 2016, or as late as five years hence, depending on the outcome of the consultation.


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 14 2015, @08:35AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 14 2015, @08:35AM (#276026)

    Yes, why indeed.

    When was the last time you stood up and joined a public protest? When was the last time you contacted the elected represantatives for your area about the topic, to inform her/him about your opinion? When was the last time you did so for the representatives that were _not_ elected in the previous election? When was the last time you made your voting decision contingent upon this topic?

    I'm not really trying to attack you personally, but most people uttering your cry to action have not even performed those simple tasks. Tasks that are entirely in the possibility of every citizen and entirely inside our legal frameworks. Tasks that, at least in principle, should be the very foundation of a working democracy. Tasks that, at least in principle, could stand a chance to actually make "them" do what "we" want - if enough of "us" actually want it.

    This stuff is a little like a marriage: if you keep bitching to your friends, but don't talk to your spouse, then it's not going to get better.

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by BasilBrush on Monday December 14 2015, @11:22AM

    by BasilBrush (3994) on Monday December 14 2015, @11:22AM (#276062)

    Laws like these are changed because politicians make money from changing them. No amount of protest or letter writing will compete with that. Best thing to do is just disobey copyright law to the extent you are able.

    --
    Hurrah! Quoting works now!