UK copyright exceptions in force today

Disabled people and disability groups can now make accessible copies of copyright material when no commercial alternative exists. Researcherswill also benefit from the introduction of the new text and data mining exception for non-commercial research, as well as the reforms to existing exceptions that will enable limited copying of all types of copyright works for non-commercial research and private study.

Schools, colleges and universities can now use copyright material on interactive whiteboards and in presentations, and as long as they have a licence they will not need to worry about accidentally infringing copyright. Public bodiescan now publish online the material they hold for public inspection, reducing costs and administrative burden of having to issues paper copies or requiring people to come to their offices.

But the government has yet to introduce planned exceptions for private copying and parody and quotation. It said that it “remains committed” to introducing them once they have been approved by Parliament.