Copyright

Mr. Hayes
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from members of the music industry in favour of the extension of the 50-year copyright rule.

Mr. Woodward
Andrew Gowers’s review of intellectual property was announced in December 2005, DCMS has received a range of written and oral representations from the music industry in favour of such an extension. It also received representations from individuals and other organisations against such a move. Although the Department exercises a sponsorship role for the music industry, policy responsibility for intellectual property matters rests with the Patent Office, to which these representations have been passed. In addition, representations on this issue were made by interested parties directly to the Gowers Review team.