Cable targets IP crime and education for 2013

Dr Vince Cable, the UK's Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, has said that he will  launch a specific IP Crime unit within the City Of London Police, giving the protection of IP a formal structure for those members of the City force that already specialise in investigating copyright crimes. The force will set up a dedicated unit to target illegal downloaders next year.

Responding to recommendations from the Hargreaves Report on the future of intellectual property in Britain, Cable also announced plans to promote a consumer facing publicity campaign to fight internet piracy and counterfeiting. In a speech at The Big Innovation Centre in London Cable said "Our creativity, our openness to and talent for innovation, is a key pillar of our return to robust growth. So it is right we work to create the environment in which creative, innovative businesses of all shapes and sizes flourish" adding  "A vital part of this is making sure the intellectual property landscape encourages and cements success and growth. The new vision for how we support businesses and consumers is central to achieving this." The Times quotes IPO Innovations Director Rosa Wilkinson as saying "We're getting a tour bus and we are going to where the young people are, and that ain't necessarily schools" saying the tour bus might visit fun fairs.

Record industry trade body the BPI welcomed Cable's announcement with BPI chief Geoff Taylor saying: "the BPI has argued for some time that the Intellectual Property Office should take on a more active role in educating young people about how IP affects them in the digital world. We are very pleased to hear government's announcement today of a new campaign. We hope that it will be supported by significant funding, so that it can make a real difference in boosting the use of legal music services online".

Dr Cable also said that the Government was prepared to guarantee the proposed Digital Copyright Exchange, and that the Technology Strategy Board would making funding available for search technology that could identify copyright infringement and added that it would be 'weeks' before the Government made any announcement on the planned new exceptions for copyright, which could include an exception for parody.

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