Digital culture : EUCD : Timeline of Tim Jackson's correspondence
I've regrettably entered the debate on the EUCD rather late on the scale of things; I wish I had had the chance to influence matters with MEPs at an earlier stage. Nevertheless, here you can find a timeline of the various communications I've had with the Patent Office, DTI and my MP on the matter. I believe strongly in openness on matters like this, so copies of all correspondence are freely available - make your own judgement.
Key documents
- The European Copyright Directive
- Patent Office proposals to amend UK copyright law
- My response to the UK Patent Office's proposed changes to UK copyright law
Timeline
15 October 2002 - Initial Response to Patent Office proposals
I send my response [pdf] to the Patent Office's consultation to Tessa Arnesen at the Patent Office's Copyright Directorate.
I also send a long and comprehensive letter [pdf] to my MP, Simon Burns, enclosing a copy of my response and a copy of the eurorights.org document Why The EUCD Is Bad.
21 October 2002 - Acknowledgement
Tessa Arnesen acknowledged my submission
21 October 2002 - Response from Simon Burns
Simon Burns replied with an interesting response to my letter of 15 October [pdf]. In particular, he identifies his lack of awareness of this important legislation - I wonder how many other MPs are completely oblivious to it?
31 October 2002 - Reply from Melanie Johnson
Simon Burns clearly passed my letter to him on to Melanie Johnson at the DTI for comment. She responded to him [pdf] and he passed her comments on to me. Melanie's response is similar to responses received by other parties who have corresponded with her. It attempts to provide some weak justifications/assurances about the proposed legislation but ignores most of the key issues.
13 November 2002 - I respond to Melanie Johnson
I send a response [pdf] to Melanie Johnson, covering her previous letter. This is worthwhile reading, as I believe I managed to put across a number of key points quite forcefully, and comprehensively deconstruct all of Melanie's previous arguments.
2 December 2002 - Brian Simpson from the Patent Office responds
Melanie Johnson clearly realises she is out of her depth and being used as a puppet by the Patent Office, so skips the pretence completely and just passes my letter of 13 November on to the Patent Office for reply. Brian Simpson sends a fairly sympathetic if insubstantial reply [pdf], but I would rather have heard from Melanie Johnson.