We are pleased to announce that the 4th edition of “The Modern Law of Copyright and Designs” has just been published. The main body of the text states the law as at 1 July 2011 but there is a Stop Press Notice which deals with case law up to 31 July 2011. There is now a large authorial team comprising Mary Vitoria, QC, Adrian Speck, Lindsay Lane, Daniel Alexander QC, Michael Tappin QC, Fiona Clark, Robert Onslow, Charlotte May, Iona Berkeley and James Whyte.
In addition to the usual updating to take account of legislative changes, of which there have been many, and of UK and European case law, special attention has been paid to the interpretation of UK law in the light of European harmonising legislation. Many of the chapters have been completely re-written for this edition including those relating to Computers and Copyright, the Internet, Encryption and Customs action. Chapters have been added to deal with the new Artist’s Resale Right and with rights in TV Formats. The sections on Design Rights have been re-structured to accommodate the numerous overlapping ways in which a design may be protected. Civil Proceedings and Remedies in relation to all of the rights covered are discussed together in two end chapters rather than dealt with piecemeal in relation to each right separately.