Government consultation on copyright; urgent issue for ALCS Members
Background
At the end of 2011 the Government published plans for a major reform of copyright. Many of the proposals stem from last year’s Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth and have been reported on the ALCS website and in our newsletter. However the latest proposals include new measures not covered by the original review which, if enacted, would reduce or possibly even eradicate the remuneration ALCS currently collects from the education sector.
To put this proposal into context, ALCS currently pays out to its Members in the region of £12million per annum from Educational sources.
Our view
In accordance with the principle of copyright, ALCS believes that writers should receive fair reward for the use of their works and we are concerned that the current Government proposals are less about copyright and more about public sector costs savings. (A recent report found that licensed access to hundreds of thousands of publications accounts for only 0.03% of a school budget and 0.04% of a university budget).
In addition to the loss in revenue for writers, the educational establishments themselves will suffer as, without a licence in place to remunerate the appropriate parties, they lose all certainty that any activities they are carrying out are done so legally.
We believe, as many of you have told us in the past, that the income you receive from ALCS, whether it be big or small, helps in providing incentive for writers to be able to continue writing and that the systems currently in place provide a reasonable and equitable solution for all.
We will be making a strong case to the Government that they need to support creators, and that by removing a core element of their income, they will be penalising both those who produce rich, varied and intresting work for students to study and read, and the students themselves as the removal of a core element of writers income will undermine the creation of future works.
How you can help
There are several ways that you can help ALCS lobby this matter:
Testimonial
If you would like to give any more information about the impact that this change would have on you as a writer, we would be delighted to hear it. Details of what to include can be downloaded below.
Lobbying your MP
If you would also be interested in contacting your local MP on this matter we would urge you to do so to show them that their constituents are concerned regarding this issue. If you’re unsure, details of who your local MP is can be found at www.theyworkforyou.com. Most of them can be contacted easily by email.
Guidelines on what to include in the testimonial and information to include when contacting your MP
Consultation
Individuals as well as organisations can make a submission to the consultation about the proposed changes, so if you would like to make a submission, please click here for further information on the proposals. The specific issue we are concerned with is this.