The UK has just taken a big step towards simplifying copyright by creating what is now being called the “copyright hub”. The copyright hub is a website (www.copyrighthub.co.uk), which has a database of copyrighted works(including music, pictures, video, etcetera) and has information relating to who owns the copyright. More importantly, a person or a business may gain permission to use the copyrighted material through the website. As of now the website is still in its beginning stages, so its content and function is severely limited. However, the plan is that by 2015 the website will have a much larger database, and a search function implemented which will allow users to simply for content, and click a button (or two) to ask for permission to use it.
I personally think this is a wonderful idea (although it did take them long enough to think of it). I would love to live in a world where I could gain permission to use copyrighted material while on my computer. Even more exciting is the additional revenue which copyright holders may potentially gain, especially in the music industry. While I’m not exactly crazy about large record companies getting even more money, I really think this could help independent artists get the credit and revenue they deserve for their music.
Sources:
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/10/copyright-hub-pilot
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-08/12/digital-copyright-exchange
