Westminster eForum Keynote Seminar: IPR and DRM
02/03/2006
Lewis Media Centre, Millbank Tower, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RS
Morning, 14th March 2006
Event supported by Arts Council England
I am writing to invite you or a colleague you might like to nominate to attend the above seminar.
The aim of this, the second seminar the Westminster eForum has conducted on Intellectual Property, is to provide a platform for latest thinking on this important set of issues and offer stakeholders a timely meeting point for different perspectives.
As importantly, we seek to serve policy makers in Parliament and Government by adding to their understanding of the relationships between viewpoints and so provide context for decision making.
The overall theme is one of a weighing up of what are the characteristics of an IPR and DRM landscape - commercially and politically, and with a view to the international realities - that will most benefit the UK's creative economy.
Planned sessions include a discussion of the new relationships which are emerging between copyright owners and others and - with established examples of best practice - the implications across a range of content sectors. Delegates will also discuss latest approaches to DRM - including practicalities such as interoperability - and the implications for the global market.
A key output of the seminar will be a comprehensive printed record of the proceedings - published as a high-quality bound briefing document for Ministers and officials at DCMS, DTI, and other departments affected by the issues, Parliamentarians with a special interest in these areas, other agencies and the European Commission. It will also be made available more widely. All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are invited to contribute to the content.
We are delighted that Derek Wyatt MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Internet Group, has agreed to give a forward looking address on the implications from his Group's enquiry into DRM, which will have just been published. Lynne Brindley will also deliver a keynote speech, on new initiatives and insights into the way forward for public policy from the unique perspective of the British Library, of which she is Chief Executive.
In keeping with all Westminster eForum meetings, the agenda is structured to be impartial and cross party. Other confirmed speakers include: Mark Bide, Senior Consultant, Rightscom; Richard Charkin, Chief Executive, Macmillan, and Chair, Publishers Association; Nic Garnett, The MCPS-PRS Alliance; Andy Hobsbawm, European Chairman and co-founder, Agency.com; Jill Johnstone, Head of Policy, Research and Strategy, National Consumer Council; Laurie Kaye, Laurence Kaye Solicitors; and Bill Thompson, journalist and technology critic. Further senior participants are being approached - representing a range of interests and perspectives - and we are awaiting confirmation of availability.
We are also delighted that Baroness Buscombe has agreed to chair part of the event.
This seminar is supported by Arts Council England.
As well as government officials, who have expressed strong interest in this seminar, we expect attendees to be a senior and informed group numbering more than 100, including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior representatives from industry, interest groups, academia and the national media.
