Artists: Resale Rights

Lord Luke
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will continue to extend the derogation from the European Union directive on artists' resale rights, which limits the impact of the right to the work of living artists. [HL2175]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin)
The current directive provides an option for the UK to extend the derogation from 2010 to 2012. Exercising this option would require the UK to make a formal request to the European Commission before 1 January 2009 and this issue is currently under consideration.