EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

UK–IPO: The UK Intellectual Property Office has published the report it commissioned into the impact on Artist's Resale Rights on the UK art market, which examines in detail both the costs & benefits of the right for both the UK art market and its artists.
 
The right (introduced in 2006, as the result of a European Directive) currently applies to works created by artists who are living.  From 2010 the right will also apply to works created by artists who have been dead for less than 70 years.  A consultation in the summer will look at the possibility of continuing to exclude deceased artists until 2012
Press release ~ A study into the effect on the UK art market of the introduction of the artist’s resale right ~ Artists Collecting Society ~ Guidance for business on the collection of artist's resale royalties
 
MoJ: New proposals - 'Rome I - Should the UK Opt in?' - intended to protect the interests of UK businesses operating in Europe have been published for consultation (closes 25 June 2008) by the Government. It is intended to provide clarity over which law applies if a dispute arises over a contract made between people or businesses from different countries, allowing cross border trade to continue with confidence.
 
When the European Commission first announced the proposals in 2005, the UK Government opted out of the proposals, as they would not have been in the interests of UK businesses.  However, following intense negotiations, a revised & improved version has now been agreed.
Press release ~ Rome I - should the UK opt in? ~ The Contracts (Applicable Law) Act 1990 ~ Original proposal
 
Defra: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released details of the strategy for rolling out Bluetongue vaccination across England. Under EU law, vaccination can only be carried out in a Protection Zone.  As vaccine starts to be delivered by Intervet, vaccination will, therefore, commence in the Protection Zone only.
 
Once vaccination is progressing across the Protection Zone, the intention is to extend or modify the Zone county by county, in order to permit further vaccination.  The strategy is designed to be flexible, taking into account the changing nature of the disease, such as moving zones, the varying levels of disease risk in the zones and the availability of vaccine.
Press release ~ Bluetongue vaccination roll out plan ~ Intervet ~ Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB)
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