Out-Law News 1 min. read

BREXIT: MPs review impact on copyright law and e-commerce


A UK parliamentary committee has asked businesses and other stakeholders for their views on the likely impact of Brexit on UK copyright law and e-commerce businesses.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has opened an inquiry into the impact of Brexit on the creative industries, tourism and the digital single market. It wants to gather written evidence on a range of issues by 28 October.

The impact of Brexit on UK copyright laws is one of the subjects it is seeking evidence on. The European Commission recently outlined plans to reform EU copyright laws.

"While the Intellectual Property Office has stated that the position on trademarks, designs, patents, copyright and enforcement remains the same until exit negotiations are concluded, what should happen in relation to copyright after the UK leaves the EU?" the Committee has asked.

The Committee is also keen to assess how the online sales by UK-based businesses are likely to be affected once the UK leaves the EU.

It said: "The UK digital sector currently is worth £118 billion a year; 43% of UK digital exports go to the EU.  How has UK membership of the EU helped to shape the digital single market to date? What are the fears and advantages arising from the UK being outside the developing single market? What will happen to companies that have used the UK as a base for sales within the single market?"

The Committee said it is also wants to understand how employment in the creative industries might be impacted by Brexit.

"Will the UK be able to attract and retain talent from across the world in order to maintain its high reputation in these industries?" it said.

MP Damian Collins, acting chair of the Committee, said: "The creative industries and tourism are two of the most important sectors in our economy, and we have to make sure that Brexit can become a success for them. We have set out some of the specific issues that we will be focusing on, but we want to hear from people and organisations in the creative and tourism sectors on any concerns or ideas they may have relating to Brexit."

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