Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Monday, 13 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 September 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 16 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the differences are between current UK copyright law and the draft of the proposed EU directive on software patentability for which the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions voted at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on 17th-18th May.

Answer: Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the differences are between current UK copyright law and the draft of the proposed EU directive on software patentability for which the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions voted at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on 17-18 May. [189316] Ms Hewitt: Present UK copyright law protects an original computer program that has been recorded in some form, but does not protect the idea behind the program. The current draft of the directive does not alter copyright protection, but confirms that innovators can gain patent protection for inventions involving the use of computer programs, providing they meet existing patentability requirements, which include making a technical contribution.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1728W;424 c1726W; 189316
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Software Copyright EU law EU action Patents Regulation EU Competitiveness Council
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk