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Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, proposed new Section 116B(1) comprises one sentence which begins by referring to a ““licensing body””. The sentence subsequently refers to the licensing body as the ““body””. It is the same. The addition of the word ““licensing”” is therefore unnecessary and I ask the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, to consider withdrawing Amendments 274 and 275. Amendment 276 would require regulations made under powers to be introduced by Clause 42 to provide that licensing bodies must adopt a code of practice before they can be authorised to operate an extended licensing scheme. I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Howard, that there is no way we wish to see licensees overriding the rights of copyright owners. Licence bodies must adopt a code of practice before they can be authorised to operate an extended licensing scheme. This can already be achieved through use of the powers currently contained in the Bill. Schedule A1 enables the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring licensing bodies authorised to set up extended licensing schemes to adopt codes of practice complying with requirements in the regulations. Is there any evidence that copyright owners find it difficult to exercise their rights? The exclusive right of the copyright owner to control their work is kept intact through the opt-out mechanism. In being able to opt out at any time, the copyright owner retains total control of their work. I hope that that is a further assurance. In the light of these assurances, I hope that the noble Lord will feel capable of withdrawing his amendment.