Will the Computer Games Industry Benefit from Intellectual Property Reform?
09 January 2012 Category News, Patents, Designs & Copyright
The Hargreaves Report of 2011 set out a number of recommendations to improve the landscape for businesses in the UK when it comes to intellectual property, including patents, trade marks and copyright. Each area is important to certain types of businesses; and copyright is of particular interest to the music and film businesses and the games industry.
Copyright and Computer Games
Games companies want to be able to protect their own copyright, but they also want to be able to defend themselves against potential copyright lawsuits; particularly if they are using images, stories or music that may already be copyright protected. Games creators have had to become well acquainted with existing copyright protection to make sure that they don’t fall foul of the law and incur hefty financial penalties for infringing copyright. The recommendations in the Hargreaves Report included provision for so-called “orphan works”, i.e. where the originator or the copyright holder cannot be identified. Hargreaves recommended that others be allowed to use orphan works, so that they can be effectively re-cycled for both commercial and non-commercial use. This, and other potential copyright reforms, may allow the games industry more leeway in how they acquire and use previously unavailable material.
What IP Reform Does the Computer Games Industry Need?
The games industry has been less vocal in its attacks on the UK copyright law than other creative industries such as music and film, but that doesn’t mean that it will be unaffected by changes in legislation. At the moment, the recommendations in the Hargreaves Report are still awaiting action from the Government; although they were positively received, and it is expected that the recommendations will become active reforms in the near future. Games developers will be looking for reforms that help them to protect their software, trade marks and brands against piracy and give them the flexibility to use material without paying significant fees or risking legal action if the material is unattributable.
Intellectual Property Advice from SH&P
At SH&P, we can give you professional advice on getting the best protection for your intellectual property, including patents, design rights and trade marks. We can advise on protecting new innovations or on maintaining an existing IP portfolio, using our expert patent and trade mark attorneys to give you the best possible advice and helping you to move your business forward. Your first hour with SH&P is free, so book your appointment today.
