Vol. 456 No. 6
150 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to introduce an appeals mechanism to adjudicate on disputes between music copyright agencies and businesses which play recorded music on their premises. [14368/95]
I am very aware of the difficulties which have arisen between music copyright agencies and businesses which play recorded music on their premises and of the need for an effective dispute resolution mechanism wherever disputes arise in the area of copyright.
To this end, my Department is currently conducting a detailed examination of this complex issue as part of a comprehensive general review of copyright law. Wide-ranging consultations have been taking place with all interested parties following the receipt of written submissions.
I intend to address this issue specifically within a new piece of legislation which will generally update copyright law, implement a number of EU Directives which have been agreed in the area of copyright and enable us to sign up to the Paris text of the Berne Convention. I hope to be in a position to bring this new legislation before the House in the near future.
