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Government set to loosen private digital file copying restrictions as part of UK copyright shake up

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By Stephen Lepitak, -

December 21, 2012 | 2 min read

The Government is set to free up copyright laws to allow people to copy legally-purchased music files from CDs onto laptops, smartphones or MP3 players.

A report released by business secretary Vince Cable, aims to update the UK intellectual property and copyright laws, following a consultation period, which would include allowing private copying of digital content such as music onto ebooks, smartphones and tablets, the creation of a general permissions for quotation of news that includes an acknowledgement of the source, freeing up of copyright within schools as part of 10 changes being proposed.

Cable said: “Making the intellectual property framework fit for the 21st century is not only common sense but good business sense. Bringing the law into line with ordinary people’s reasonable expectations will boost respect for copyright, on which our creative industries rely.

“We feel we have struck the right balance between improving the way consumers benefit from copyright works they have legitimately paid for, boosting business opportunities and protecting the rights of creators.”

Cable added that the changes would contribute at least £500m to the UK economy in the next decade, while the Government would also aim to introduce a non-statutory system for clarifying where copyright law should be applied, with notices being issued by the Intellectual Property Office.

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