On 1 June 2014 three statutory instruments came into force, implementing new exceptions to the law of copyright:
The changes allow schools, colleges and universities to increase the ways in which they use copyright material, for example permitting copyright material to be displayed on interactive whiteboards.
The existing fair dealing exception allowing copying for research and private study is extended to include all copyright works, including sound recordings, films and broadcasts.
For researchers, the changes allow data mining for non-commercial purposes to take place without the need for additional permissions from the copyright holder.
Libraries, museums and archives are able make copies of copyright works in their permanent collection for the purposes of preservation,
Disabled people and charities are able to make copies of copyright works in an accessible format where such material is not available commercially.
Public bodies are able to publish online material which they currently hold, the intention behind the change being to allow the public more ready access to this material.
Further proposed changes, relating to personal copying and parody and quotation have been delayed.
A detailed 5RB post on the content of all the regulations, both those which have come into force, and those still before Parliament can be found here.
Links:
Intellectual Property Office Guides to the changes to copyright law