Consultation outcome

Changes to penalties for online copyright infringement

From:: Intellectual Property Office
Published: 18 July 2015
Last updated: 21 April 2016 — See all updates

Read the full outcome

Consultation response: changes to the penalties for online copyright infringement

PDF, 712 KB, 12 pages

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Detail of outcome

The government intends to introduce to Parliament at the earliest available legislative opportunity re-drafted offence provisions in relation to sections 107(2A) and 198(1A) of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA), in addition to increasing the maximum custodial sentence to ten years in sections 107(4A) and 198(5A) of the CDPA.

Feedback received

Summary of responses: changes to the penalties for online copyright infringement

PDF, 629 KB, 10 pages

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Detail of feedback received

The wide range of responses have been analysed and all relevant points investigated. As a result, government is now carefully considering the best way forward.

Original consultation

Consultation description

The proposed new measures will increase the sanctions for criminals who infringe the rights of copyright holders for large-scale financial gain and will make clear that online copyright infringement is no less serious than physical infringement.

Explanatory note for delay in consultation response

A four week consultation on changes to the penalties for online copyright infringement (PDF,656 KB) closed on 17 August 2015.
Government consultation principles (PDF, 55.9 KB) suggest a response within twelve weeks or, a statement if this is not possible.
The consultation attracted over 1,000 responses and raised some important questions about the current legislation and the way in which proposed changes may affect the future application of this offence.
The government is committed to ensuring that all responses are properly considered and has been conducting an analysis since the consultation closed. Until that work is complete the government is not in a position to issue a response.
It is anticipated that a response will be published before 31 December 2015.

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