Consumer Focus welcomes the Independent Review of IP and Growth on how the Intellectual Property (IP) framework supports economic growth and innovation. The review focuses on competition issues and acknowledges that IP law can obstruct the use of emerging technologies and may discourage established businesses from adapting to change. Recognising that the relationship between IP law and competition law is one of balance, the review poses the question whether growth and innovation could be stimulated by a different balance between competition and IP law.
In preparation for our response to the review Consumer Focus has now published Competition, copyright and collective rights management – A consultation on growth and innovation in the creative and digital technology industries. The consultation focuses primarily on copyright and collective rights management and will form the basis for our response to the review in relation to competition law.
Our consultation is meant to stimulate the debate on the interplay between competition law and copyright, and we would welcome your thoughts and views. Please email any thoughts on our consultation to Saskia Walzel, Policy Advocate, at saskia.walzel@consumerfocus.org.uk by Friday, 11 February.
