Research Briefing
The Bill has seven parts, designed to reduce the terrorism threat to the UK. It would strengthen powers to put temporary restrictions on travel and modify the Terrorist Prevention and Investigation Measures. It would extend the retention of relevant communications data, strengthen security for travel arrangements and make the existing Prevent programme statutory as well as address the payment of insurance for ransoms.
Research Briefing
In May 2014 the European Court of Justice ruled that a user had the right to have links to web pages about him removed from Google’s search results because the passage of time had made them “irrelevant”. This Note examines what the judgment means for search engines, for individuals and for the UK.
Research Briefing
An emergency Bill, the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, is due to pass through all its parliamentary stages between 15 and 17 July. The Bill aims to allow police and security agencies to have continued access to communications data in order to combat crime and terrorism. This Note summarises the background, the Bill and criticisms that have been made of it.
Research Briefing
The Bill proposes a range of measures in line with the Government’s aim to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and public authorities.
Research Briefing
This note provides pointers to the developments since publication of the report. It does not attempt to summarise the complex arguments involved or differences between the various proposals for draft legislation that have been brought forward.
Research Briefing
The Intellectual Poperty Bill would simplify and clarify design protection and ownership, with the aim of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. It would introduce new criminal penalties for copying of UK registered designs, facilitate the UK’s joining the international Hague Agreement, and provide for a new design opinions service. It would also allow for the creation of a Unified Patent Court and the international sharing of information on patents. In addition, there is provision for a research exemption from freedom of information law and for greater accountability on the part of the Intellectual Property Office.
Research Briefing
The UK’s first local TV channel began broadcasting in November 2013, with others scheduled to launch in 2014. This note describes the background to the policy, how the channels are funded and the licence conditions imposed on them.
Research Briefing
The Bill proposes a range of measures in line with the Government’s aim to reduce burdens on businesses and public authorities.
Research Briefing
The Government has published an Action Plan setting out its intention to see radio broadcasting switch from analogue to digital audio broadcasting (“DAB”). The target date, which the industry considers is achievable and the Government says it would support, is 2015.
Research Briefing
The Intellectual Property Bill [HL] (Bill 102 of session 2013-14) was introduced into the House of Lords on 9 May 2013, where it received Second Reading on 22 May. It completed its parliamentary stages in the upper house on 30 July and was passed to the Commons, where it received First Reading on 29 August. This Research Paper has been produced to inform the Second Reading debate in the Commons, which is scheduled for 9 December 2013.
Research Briefing
The Digital Economy Act 2010 received Royal Assent at the very end of the last Parliament. Sections 3 to 18 of the Act cover online infringement of copyright. Several provisions have proved controversial and have not yet been implemented.
Research Briefing
The UK’s data protection law is based on a 1995 European Directive. The European Commission believes that the Directive is now out of date and has therefore proposed a comprehensive reform of the 1995 rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe’s digital economy. Aspects of the reform are controversial and negotiations continue at European level to find agreement.
Research Briefing
This note considers, on the basis of published Impact Assessments, which of the Hargreaves recommendations would require primary, and which secondary, legislation. At Committee stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill 2012-13, the Government added two new clauses to the Bill which appear to be a first move toward implementing Hargreaves. These enabling measures, affecting so-called “orphan works” and extended collective licensing, are now enshrined in the 2013 Act but will not take effect until the necessary regulations have been developed, opened to public consultation and approved by Parliament.
Research Briefing
Prior to July 2012, video (or “computer”) games were classified under two systems: (voluntarily) under the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) scheme and (in certain cases, compulsorily) by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). In response to recommendations in the Byron Review on child safety, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport consulted on options for strengthening classifications.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the Public Bill Committee Stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. It is designed to complement the Research Paper Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (RP 12/33), which covers in more detail the background to the Bill
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