Google today called for UK copyright reforms that allow individuals limited use of copyrighted work in order to create new content.
"Fair use" laws in the US – which cover use of music for sampling, for example – were included in the 2006 Gowers review of UK intellectual property but have not been incorporated into British law.
"Copyright reform in this context is crucial," said Google UK's public policy manager, Richard Sargeant, speaking on a panel at the Oxford Media Convention on the role of ISPs in policing the net.
"We look with respect at the system of fair use rights that exists in the US. Europe doesn't have anything similar, which makes it much more difficult for people to see what they can and can't do."
Sargeant was part of a panel that included John Whittingdale, chair of the culture media and sport select committee, who suggested that the media regulator Ofcom might form part of the solution to policing piracy on the web.
The music industry wants to see internet service providers take a bigger role in acting against web users who download illegal content.
But they have yet to reach agreement with ISPs on the scope of that role. "ISPs are not the police and must never become the police of the internet," said Nick Lansman, secretary general of the Internet Service Providers' Association.
Whittingdale suggested that Ofcom could have a role as arbiter between creative industries and ISPs. "The obvious body to do that is Ofcom," he said. "It would probably have to be the body to do it."
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