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On 26 November 2018, the EU Commission initiated proceedings for infringement of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union against 17 member states for non-compliance with the Directive requiring the transposition into national law of the Marrakesh Treaty (Directive (EU) 2017/1564) (see IRIS 2017-9/4 and IRIS 2016-9/4). The Marrakesh Treaty is a WIPO-administered convention that was signed on 27 June 2013 and entered into force on 30 September 2016, after the first 20 ratifications. The Treaty facilitates access to print works in formats adapted for persons who are blind, visually impaired...

On 18 September 2018, Ofcom launched its discussion paper entitled “Addressing Harmful Online Content” (the report) which considers ways to regulate social media, especially in the context of children and young people, whilst respecting freedom of expression. The report follows the DCMS’s (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) July 2018 interim report entitled “Disinformation and Fake News” (see IRIS 2018-8:1/27). Furthermore, this coming winter, the UK Government will publish a White Paper setting out its intention to legislate in order to improve online safety. Ofcom’s report flagged...

The new ruler of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, visited the United Kingdom in March 2018. The Saudi Centre for International Communication, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, thought it would be a good idea to project his Vision 2030 around the time of his visit. To do so, it bought time on Sky 1 to broadcast a message. The script referred to women being allowed to drive; the reopening of cinemas; the promotion of concerts and cultural events; and the aim to drop the country’s reliance on oil and invest in various projects, thus turning Saudi Arabia into a hub connecting three continents. As...

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has revoked the broadcasting licence of Ausaf UK Limited even before its broadcasting has begun. Ofcom did so because of content in a newspaper (the Daily Asaf) closely linked to the holder of the licence and produced in London and Pakistan. Ofcom is obliged by the Communications Act 1990 not to grant a licence to any person unless satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold it, and, if they cease to be so satisfied, to secure that the person does not remain holder of the licence. It recognises that revocation represents a serious interference...

On 20 September 2018, the High Court granted an order aimed at tackling illicit streams of professional boxing matches. The application was made by Matchroom Boxing Ltd against the UK’s main retail Internet service providers, including Sky UK Ltd, British Telecommunications Plc, Virgin Media Ltd and others. The company stages more than 20 boxing events yearly, several of which feature the British boxer Anthony Joshua who currently holds three of the four major world championships in the sport. In the UK, the boxing matches are broadcast by Sky under exclusive agreements with Matchroom. Matchroom...