Is the UK's intellectual property

regime fit for the digital age?

Copyright attracted exceptional interest and generated keen discussion as information professionals faced the practical issues involved in making content available to users in digital formats. This is why CILIP had planned its second eCopyright Executive Briefing in London on 18 May.

An expert speaker panel examined key issues from the point-of-view of users and consumers of information as well as the perspective of rightsholders and their representatives. Some of the questions the programme addressed were:

• Should libraries be allowed to copy and format shift master copies of archival works for the purposes of digital preservation
• Should copying of a work be permitted where the rightsowner cannot be located even after "reasonable efforts" have been made to track them down and clear the rights
• Do the collective licensing societies currently offer – or are there any plans for – licences which cover the use of born digital content
• What impact will the Gowers Review recommendations have for the library & information sector

The Briefing was aimed at Public, Academic and Corporate librarians keen to debate with independent experts.