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MDA Launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums

MDA – a leading provider of copyright and intellectual property (IP) advice and training to museums - has announced the publication of an Intellectual Property Manifesto for collections.

The Manifesto aims to increase understanding of the relationship between IP issues and best practice in the management of museum collections. It sets out MDA's priorities for delivering services which will best enable museums to take advantage of the commercial, creative and educational opportunities presented by effective management of their IP. Planned activities include the development of standards, training courses and new resources; lobbying for changes in legislation; and working in partnership with Government and other key stakeholders from across the cultural heritage sector.

Meanwhile, members of MDA's Intellectual Property Advisory Committee - an independent expert panel of leading figures from the legal, publishing and picture library industries - are meeting today with representatives from the UK Intellectual Property Office. Among the subjects for discussion will be 'orphan works' and the process of due diligence, and how these issues impact on the core collections care activities of museums.

Naomi Korn, MDA Intellectual Property Officer, commented, "By working in collaboration with organisations both within and beyond the heritage sector, MDA is seeking new ways to help museums deliver effective services to the public through the management of copyright and other related rights. The launch of the Manifesto and the work of the Advisory Committee give us a voice in influencing the strategic development of copyright in the UK on behalf of the museums community."

To download a copy of the Intellectual Property Manifesto, and for further advice and information on intellectual property issues, please visit: www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright

Notes for Editors

MDA is the UK's focus for standards, expertise and advice in the professional management of collections, and a leading organisation in the provision of intellectual property support to the sector.

MDA's Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums is available to download free from: www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright

The MDA IP Advisory Committee was created to establish a position statement on IP and collections, and to instruct the future development of MDA's work on IP and rights management. Members include representatives from the Bridgeman Art Library, DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the British Library, BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies), Finers Stephens Innocent LLP, CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), Museums Copyright Group, the National Portrait Gallery, Farrer & Co LLP and the Strategic Content Alliance.

For further information about the work of MDA, or to interview Nick Poole, MDA Chief Executive, contact eleanor@mda.org.uk or telephone 01223 316 028.

MDA is supported by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). www.mla.gov.uk