February 3, 2020

The Council of the European Union formally adopted the Copyright Directive for the Digital Single Market in April 2019. Following publication in the Official Journal, the Directive came into force on 6 June 2019. Member States have two years to implement the Directive, i.e. by 7 June 2021.

Jo Stevens (MP for Cardiff Central) asked the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (by way of a written question) what plans the Government has to bring forward legislative proposals to implement the EU Copyright Directive in UK law.

Responding to the written question, Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State, said that given that the Government has committed not to extend the “implementation period” following the UK’s exit from the EU beyond 31 January 2020, the UK will not be required to implement the Directive, and the Government has no plans to do so. He also said: “Any future changes to the UK copyright framework will be considered as part of the usual domestic policy process”. To read the response in full, click here.