The Digital Economy Bill

The Bill is under consideration by the House of Lords.  It is a huge piece of legislation, much of it welcome. However, as Parliament is going to be dissolved soon, it remains to be seen how much of the Bill, if any, will become law.

The US Google Book Settlement

1: is the Settlement definitely going ahead?
2: who does it affect?
3: what do I need to do now?
4: remind me: what is the Settlement and how would it work?
5: did the Society make a submission to the Court?

ISA clearances for writers

Authors Visiting Schools / The Vetting and Barring Scheme

The Society made a submission to Sir Roger Singleton in early November recommending a number of specific changes to the controversial Vetting and Barring Scheme, taking account of the concerns raised both privately and in the press by authors. His report on the Scheme was published on 14th December.

London Book Fair 2010 and South Africa buddy scheme

In 2010 we are pleased to offer members reduced tickets to the London Book Fair which is taking place between 19-21 April at Earls Court. To register for the reduced rate of £10 (price for entry on the door: £40), either visit the members area.

Also: The British Council is looking to partner the South African writers with their counterparts in London during their stay to strengthen cultural relations between the UK and South Africa.  A similar ‘buddy’ system was employed with great success by the British Council at The London Book Fair 2009.

The future of public libraries

In 2008 the Department for Culture Media and Sport announced that it was carrying out a ‘modernisation review’ of public libraries. We were expecting a comprehensive action plan to emerge. However in December 2009 - more than a year later - the Arts Minister, Margaret Hodge, launched a ‘consultation document’, Empower, Inform, Enrich.

Libel law - campaign for reform

The Society has given its enthusiastic backing to an initiative of English PEN and Index on Censorship. After a year-long enquiry the two organisations concluded that English libel law has a seriously detrimental impact on freedom of expression.

Online book piracy

We are aware of US companies such as Scribd.com that allow complete, in-copyright texts to be uploaded to their websites. This is being done very often, it seems, without the permission of the copyright owners.

We are monitoring developments and our advice to members is to get in touch with your publisher who should agree to instruct the website to implement its takedown procedure.