In the Newspaper Licensing Agency v Meltwater Group & PRCA case on 27 July, the Court of Appeal ruled that the technological process of displaying a web page on a computer is not exempt from copyright because it is a temporary copy.
PRCA comms director Richard Ellis said: ‘This ruling is ridiculous. The actions of a few newspapers risk compromising the functionality of the internet in the UK. The internet is the greatest source of information and growth we have. The temporary copies ruling must be overturned.’
The PRCA is seeking permission to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, and has also initiated a campaign with Parliament via constituency MPs.
The PRCA is calling on people to write to their MPs if they believe the ruling is incorrect or a threat to the effective use of the internet.
The PRCA and Meltwater Group have drafted an email that those concerned by the ruling can edit and send to their MP. The email requests the constituency MP contact the relevant ministers about the issue of temporary copies.
