The creative industries are calling for clarity regarding the future of intellectual property (IP) following Britain’s departure from the European Union (EU).
The sector employs some two million people across the UK, working in film, music, architecture video games and more – and studies suggest that these workers would like to know whether the UK’s IP regime will continue to protect their interests post-Brexit.
A survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) quizzed senior figures from 18 key sectors across the UK.
This study revealed that the majority of those working in the creative industries consider the future of IP one of the most important issues they face as a result of the leave vote announced on 23 June 2016.
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said: “Leaving the EU will be a highly complex process, and all sectors of the economy are making their priorities clear in order to get it right.
“While each sector has issues specific to them, there are many crossovers and common principles that unite them”.
A spokesman for the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) added: “The UK is widely seen as a world leader in enforcement of IP.
“For the time being the UK’s enforcement framework remains unchanged.”
However, looking toward the future, they insisted that: “By working in partnership with law enforcement and industry, the Government can [continue to] deliver an IP environment where legitimate businesses thrive and consumers are protected”.