The Directive “on the harmonisation of certain aspects of
copyright and related rights in the information society” sets out
new rules on the protection of anti-copying technologies and
digital rights management, controversially echoing some provisions
of the much-criticised Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the
US.
Critics of the European legislation argue that it wrongly
protects a technical protection measure even if it contains other
restrictions in addition to preventing copyright infringement. They
say this means that technical measures that enforce DVD region
locks are protected by law.
The Directive also sets out rules on exclusive rights of
reproduction, communication and distribution of works protected by
copyright.
The UK Patent Office first said it would issue draft regulations
in early 2002; it then predicted spring 2002. It has now asked for
“a little more time”. The following apology appears on its
site:
"An earlier notice (26 November 2001)
indicated our aim was to begin public consultation this
spring on draft implementing regulations. However, it has
recently become clear that this target cannot now be met. Although
the essential work of analysing the impact of the Copyright
Directive on UK law and of drafting necessary amendments to the law
is well advanced, we will need a little more time before we can
present the results of this work to interested parties.
"We very much regret this unavoidable delay,
and would assure all concerned that we are doing all we can in
order to commence public consultation as soon as possible."
When the regulations are published, they are expected to be
subject to a three month period of public consultation before being
amended as necessary and adopted by Parliament.
The text of the Directive
