MinLaw, IPOS seek public feedback on proposed changes to copyright regime

SINGAPORE'S Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) have launched a public consultation exercise to gather feedback on proposed changes to the country's copyright regime.

The consultation will run for two months, ending on Oct 24, MinLaw and IPOS said in a release on Tuesday.

Technological developments in the past decade have led to vast changes in how copyrighted works are created, distributed, accessed and used.

Copyright law must keep pace with modern developments so as to support creativity and innovation, MinLaw and IPOS said, adding that the review seeks to ensure Singapore's copyright regime continues to provide an environment that benefits both creators and users.

Key proposals include having creators owning the copyright in certain specific works they are commissioned to create unless they agree otherwise, as well as letting creators have a right of attribution - which will enable them to ask that they be credited as the creator, regardless of whether they still own the copyright.

There was also a proposal for not-for-profit schools to be able to continue to develop and enhance their pedagogy using digital tools and the Internet. For example, teachers and students will now be able to fully utilise online student portals to reproduce and share content to enhance learning.

Other proposals - everyone can, subject to certain conditions, use "orphan works" even though the owner cannot be identified and contacted for consent; allowing text and data mining for the purposes of data analysis.

Said Senior Minister of State for Law & Finance Indranee Rajah: "This is a wide-ranging review which aims to help creators gain more recognition and practical protection for their works, while providing users with reasonable and easier access to those works.

"We would particularly like to see individuals and small businesses come forward and provide their views in this public consultation. This will help the government take into account all stakeholders' views so as to improve our copyright regime to better support the creative economy."

Members of the public are invited to submit their views by Oct 24, 5pm. They may submit feedback online via http://www.mlaw.gov.sg/CopyrightReview or in hard copy to the Intellectual Property Policy Division at MinLaw.