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The BBC has a duty to ensure that independent producers produce 25% of “qualifying programmes” (see IRIS 1998-2: 15 and IRIS 1997-1: 15; for the recent changes to the definition of “independent producer” see IRIS 2003-9: 9). This target applies to BBC1 and BBC2 but not to its digital channels. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is required to compile an annual report for communication to the Secretary for Culture Media and Sport. The Minister may then decide on any appropriate action. For the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003, 21% of such programmes were produced independently (down from 21.8%...

The UK Government has announced a review of international film co-production treaties (see IRIS 1995-2: 8 and IRIS 1998-6: 11). The aim is "to ensure they are bringing real cultural and economic benefits to the UK" e.g., film-industry related jobs and use of film making facilities. The review will analyse existing treaties and advise whether there should be new ones. The terms of reference for the review are: - To review and make recommendations for the redefinition of the current legislative definition of a "British film", geared to the twin issues of cultural expression and industry economics;...

The UK Government has (somewhat belatedly) implemented the Directive of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (see IRIS 2001-5: 3 and IRIS 2003-8: 6). Implementation has taken place through the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003, which amend the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The Regulations came into effect on 31 October 2003. The Regulations are long and complex; the main effects are as follows. They redefine the meaning of "broadcast" (to which copyright protection applies) in section 6 of the Act,...

On 18 September 2003, the UK Parliament published its Committee on Culture Media and Sport's Report on the British Film Industry. The Committee reports that "[t]here is a British film industry" but that "there are longstanding chronic difficulties." However, the Committee is also of the view that "[p]ublic policy has a role to play in strengthening the industry in order to generate substantial economic rewards and important cultural benefits." A central conclusion is that it is essential to maintain an "attractive tax regime", but that in reviewing it, "the Government should assess whether there...

The British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has accepted a recommendation from the Competition Commission that a merger between the two major UK broadcasters on ITV (Channel 3), Carlton and Granada, should be permitted to go ahead, subject to conditions relating to advertising sales (for the reference of the merger to the authorities see IRIS 2003-4: 9). The effect will be to create a single company owning ITV in England (although in Scotland separate ownership will remain). This was one of the last mergers to be referred under the Fair Trading Act 1973, which places the final decision...