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The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)  welcomes the recent publication of the Gowers Review of Government policy on Intellectual property. This is a far-reaching review with significant recommendations for museums, libraries and archives, which include:

• retaining the 50 year term of protection for sound recordings
• enabling the copying of resources for long-term preservation
• introducing wide-ranging exceptions for learners
• outlining proposals for dealing with 'orphan' works

MLA is pleased with the emphasis the review places on the UK's economic competitiveness which is increasingly driven by knowledge-based industries, especially in manufacturing, science-based sectors and the creative industries.  The recent report Museums and Galleries in Britain: Economic, Social and Creative Impacts, by Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, reviewed the economic, social and creative impacts of museums and galleries in Britain  and stressed that the role of museums and galleries in promoting and encouraging creativity should not be overlooked.

Chris Batt, MLA Chief Executive, said, “The MLA welcomes the Gowers review and we look forward to working in partnership with sector bodies and the new Strategic Board for IP Policy on the implementation of the Review. We will continue to discuss issues that are still to be resolved, including ensuring that access to materials by the visually impaired, and, long-term preservation, are not affected either by contractual terms or by digital rights management systems.”

MLA prepared its own response to the Gowers Review call for evidence, and supported the more detailed joint response by the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance and the Museum Copyright Group, which can be found at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/gowers_review_intellectual_property/gowersreview_responses_organisations.cfm#OrganisationsAM

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

The MLA Partnership
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council works with the nine regional agencies in the MLA Partnership to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk