Journalism Professor To Lead UK's Copyright Review?

from the not-economics? dept

Thu, Nov 11th 2010 1:43am — Mike Masnick

We recently pointed out that the UK is about to undergo yet another "big review" of copyright laws. Of course, they already did that just four years ago -- and then proceeded to ignore many of the key findings in that "Gowers Report." It was named that, of course, because the team that put it together was run by Andrew Gowers, a former journalist. So, apparently the current UK leadership is going back to the same well to lead this new report as well, and have picked journalism professor Ian Hargreaves to lead the effort. Nothing against journalism professors -- but it does make you wonder why the UK government isn't interested in having an actual economist lead a study on the economic impact of copyright laws and various potential copyright law changes.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: copyright, ian hargreaves, review, uk

11 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Crosbie Fitch (profile), 11 Nov 2010 @ 2:23am

Reviewing the White Elephant
When they realise there's no point in reviewing the layout of deckchairs AGAIN, perhaps they'll think about abolishing copyright and legislating for natural/moral rights alone?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 11 Nov 2010 @ 2:47am

Qualified Experts = Trouble
When the people asked for an opinion are actually qualified to give it, it can cause a lot of trouble when you have to ignore them ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- abc gum, 11 Nov 2010 @ 5:07am
  
  Re: Qualified Experts = Trouble
  "Nutt sacking"
  
  lol - headlines
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Nov 2010 @ 3:31am

I don't think any one person should be doing something like that, it should be a panel.

But this is not serious is just for show, so you get a puppet there and make him say whatever others want him to say.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Nov 2010 @ 4:44am

Because (mainstream media) journalists are too stupid to come up with a sensible conclusion and will more likely come up with a conclusion that's consistent with their conflict of interests.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Nov 2010 @ 5:47am

They already did a study on the economic impact. Specifically, the economic impact on their wallets. Unfortunately, you don't need to be an expert to point out how stupid current copyright law is, and the random people they hire keep coming out with reports full of inconvenient facts.
No problem, just ignore 'em. Campaign contributions all around! The BSA's buying tonight!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Nov 2010 @ 7:14am

Screw the UK. They allow no freedom. They are socialists in the highest extreme. The state giveth and the state taketh away.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike42 (profile), 11 Nov 2010 @ 8:29am
  
  Re:
  This message brought to you by the Corporations of America. You're free because we tell you you're free.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
cannonfodder, 11 Nov 2010 @ 8:06am

All parts of the Gowers Report that benefited freedom or benefited anyone by the BPI, MPAA was ignored the first time around so why do we have to pay to repeat the process, get get the Gowers Report out of the bin and actually read it instead of bending over for the corporate shills.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
cannonfodder (profile), 11 Nov 2010 @ 8:08am

Who are the Scum!
RIAA, CRIA, SOUNDEXCHANGE, BPI, PRS, IFPI, ASCAP, Ect:

# Sony BMG
# Warner Music Group
# Universal Music Group
# EMI

MPAA, MPA, FACT, AFACT, Ect:

# Sony Pictures
# Warner Bros. (Time Warner)
# Universal Studios (NBC Universal)
# The Walt Disney Company
# 20th Century Fox (News Corporation)
# Paramount Pictures Viacom—(DreamWorks owners since February 2006)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
lrobbo (profile), 12 Jun 2012 @ 11:42am

Free you say, we don't have that on the planet UK.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]