A new copyright law is being debated in the UK Parliament which, if
passed in its present form, would remove any limit to fines and
threaten individuals with up to 10 years in prison if they offer
for sale or hire, or deal in, pirated software.
The Copyright, etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement)
Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 17th January 2001
with the backing of the Department of Trade and Industry.
It will be a criminal offence to sell, make for hire or deal
with pirated software, music and films or bootleg recordings or
unauthorised decoders for satellite and cable broadcasts. The law
also covers counterfeit goods making unauthorised use of trade
marks. There are also extended police powers of search and seizure
for investigating such offences.
The Bill makes amendments to the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988 to increase the Act's penalties; it does not attempt to
create new offences. The 1988 Act also contains an offence of
using pirated software in the course of business, which
can be punished with up to six months in prison and a fine of up to
£5,000. However, contrary to media reports, the Bill does not amend
the "using" penalties under that Act.
According to the Business Software Alliance, in UK business, one
in four software packages is used illegally.
