It's time for copyright law fit for the 21st Century.
Copyright
The Pirate Party wants a fair and balanced copyright law that is suitable for the 21st century. Copyright should give artists the first chance to make money from their work, however that needs to be balanced with the rights of society as a whole.
We would reduce the duration of copyright to 10 years - closer to the original duration of 14 years - reflecting the much greater ease with which works can now be made and distributed.
Shorter copyright will encourage artists to keep on creating new work, will allow new art forms (such as mash-ups) and will stop big businesses from relying on large back-catalogues rather than investing in new content.
Our 10 year copyright length will include within it a renewal after 5 years (allowing works in which the creator is no longer interested to fall into the public domain after 5 years). An exception will be made for software, where a 5 year term will apply to closed source software and a 10 year term to open source software, in recognition of the extra rights given to the public by open source licences.
Patents
We believe that patents exist to reward the inventors of truly outstanding ideas, not to allow big businesses to stifle competition with an ever-growing tide of trivial, incomprehensible, overreaching patents.
We will stop the abuse of patent law by raising the bar on how innovative an idea has to be before it can be patented, and by prohibiting patents on software, business methods, concepts and works of nature.
We will require a working model to be provided to the patent office before a patent is granted and we will strictly enforce the current rule that patents are invalid if they are "obvious to someone skilled in the art".
Pirate Party Pledges:
- To fight for comprehensive and sensible copyright and patent reforms.
- To repeal sections 3 to 18 of the Digital Economy Act 2010 and strengthen the current protections against excessive or frivolous lawsuits for copyright infringement.
- Not to introduce any new blank media taxes.
- We pledge to maintain and expand the current list of important national events that cannot be exclusively broadcast by pay TV services. -
The Pirate Party UK is a democratic political party built on grassroots support and the work of volunteers.
We stand for Digital Rights, Civil Liberties and a politics fit for the 21st Century. We want a Britain where all can be part of our shared culture and economy.
We are a party with no parallel in British politics, wholly transparent to the public, accountable to our members and not dependent on external groups for our funding or direction.
Be a part of change
The Party is pressing for fair changes to the law and the right changes in society. You can help us achieve that. Join Today
Loz Kaye to Stand in Manchester Central By-Election - The Guardian
Twitter Joke Trial Shows UK Law Not Fit For Purpose - Public Service Europe
CETA: the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Independent
ACTA: controversial treaty rejected by EU - BBC
Politically Poisonous to be "Anti Internet" - Russia Today
5 Undercover Police Cars Sent To Arrest Single Alleged Movie Pirate: http://t.co/LTVkgQPW7Z
Site blocking calls spread. We told you so. #TodaysHeadlines #SlipperySlope
Thuggish murder in Woolwich just yesterday. Disgustingly opportunistic for Lords to call to revive #SnoopersCharter: http://t.co/tMMSomQWvY
Let's embrace new technology not be afraid of it. Why we need 3D printing: http://t.co/68smqoUvzo
