Bernard Allen
Question:141 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he proposes to change the current legislation on copyright as (1) the operator has no defence in law against excessive demands by the rights holders and (2) the total withdrawal of services falls to the discretion of the rights holders in the event of the operator not acceding to the various demands made on them; and if he will make a statement on the situation whereby arbitration was deemed inappropriate in the setting up of legislation affecting the Performing Rights Society and where no such mechanism was provided for in dealing with the claims of many of the rights holders.