The British Library today (20 December 2012) welcomes the announcement by Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, outlining new exceptions to the UK’s copyright framework.
In particular, the Library welcomes the exceptions that will now allow:
Digital preservation of its collections including, for the first time, sound and film
Non-commercial research copying of in-copyright sound and audiovisual content
Non-commercial text and data mining of content that an organisation has purchased or has lawful access to
The digitisation of its analogue collections for access on the premises
Roly Keating, Chief Executive, said: “The exceptions announced today will allow us to stay at the forefront of research services and collection preservation in an increasingly digital and networked world.
“An updated, balanced copyright framework, which puts us on a level playing field internationally, will benefit the UK economy as a whole.
“We look forward to ongoing discussions with our partners in the research, publishing, creative and technology sectors on the careful implementation of these exceptions.”
The exceptions were recommended in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth, commissioned by the Prime Minister in 2010.
