Mike Weatherley MP (right, centre) made the recommendations in his third report into IP for Prime Minister David Cameron since being appointed to the unpaid post in September last year. It follows studies of the role of search engines in tackling online piracy and of how websites offering pirated and fake products might be deprived of advertising revenues and payment services.
This latest report considers how copyright education and awareness might be improved. The other recommendations include better coordination on IP policy across government departments and the creation of a cross-industry working group; giving government and industry a bigger role in creating IP-related resources and designing lesson plans for teachers to use in schools; and for the government to publish a copyright education evaluation report each year that sets out how successful awareness-raising initiatives have been.
The report has been welcomed by industry associations. BPI Chief Executive, Geoff Taylor, said that it was “an important first step” in bringing IP-dependent sectors together to build on their individual education efforts. Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said she welcomed the report’s “clarity around the importance of the school curriculum, good information and an intellectual property / education coordinator role”.
The report is Weatherley’s final study in his role as IP adviser. He has stepped down from the post after announcing he would not seek re-election at the general election taking place in May next year.