By Felicity Ussher, 5 March 1999 00:30
NEWS The row surrounding the European Parliament's proposals to ban Web caching has taken a bizarre twist as UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) minister, Michael Wills, claimed that similar laws already exist but are ignored by businesses. In a formal statement to Michael Fabricant, MP, he said the UK's 1988 Copyright Act already prohibits the unauthorised reproduction of copyright material online. "The European Parliament's proposed amendment... would not therefore change the situation in the UK," he stated. But Wills added that "current UK copyright law does not seem to have inhibited the development of information technology services". Fabricant tabled the question in response to pressure from European businesses, which fear the effect of a ban on Web caching. The Industry was quick to react to Wills' statement. David Taylor, president of Certus, an organisation which represents IT professionals in the UK, said: "The DTI is saying that Web caching is already illegal in the UK. But he [Wills] accepts that it is widely used, which means he condones illegal activity!" "We need this to be resolved. We can't have businesses acting illegally, even in good faith," Taylor added. Wills said he supports the EC's draft directive on electronic commerce - a separate proposal which seeks to clarify the liability of Internet service providers under copyright and other laws.
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