Past events & meetings

2nd December 2009

The All Party Writers Group AGM and Winter reception

The All Party Writers Group winter reception and AGM was held on Wednesday 2nd December at the House of Commons. The reception also incorporated the presentation of the Educational Writers' Award - Sponsored by the ALCS and administered by the Society of Authors.

The reception, buzzing with writers such as Mavis Cheek, Anthony Beevor, Joanne Harris, Sarah Waters, Tracy Chevalier, Joan Smith and Mal Peet to name but a few, provided ample opportunity for writers to speak to MPs and Lords about their concerns and the current Digital Economy Bill, at the same time as the Lords were actually debating the issue.

Janet with Sally
Symes, Nick Alton and Nick Sharratt. Winners of the Educational Writers'
Award

24 November 2009

How does filesharing affect jobs and investment? Why is the proposed digital economy bill necessary?

A joint meeting of the All-Party Intellectual Property Group, the All-Party Group on Publishing, the All-Party Music Group, the All-Party Film Group and the All-Party Writers Group.

Speakers included:

• Huw Jennings, Fulham FC’s Academy Director

• Francis Keeling, Universal Music Group,

• Maureen Duffy, Writer and Poet

• Fionnuala Duggan, Publisher, Random House

• Paul Hayes, Construction Manager, Leavesden Film Studios

26 October 2009

APWG Meeting

House of Commons - Janet Anderson was officially voted Chair of the All Party Writers Group.

7 October

APWG sponsors event at the Conservative Party Conference

The debate entitled ‘Writers & the Web: creativity & the digital economy’ took place at the Party Conference on 7 October. The All Party Writers Group (APWG) sponsored this timely debate on the same day as US court discussions over the fairness of the Google Settlement – a settlement that potentially will see writers paid for the unauthorised digitisation of their works.

Panellists included Conservative MP John Whittingdale, Chair of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee and APWG member; Louise Bagshawe, author and Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Corby & East Northamptonshire; the Guardian News & Media’s Director of Digital Content, Emily Bell; freelance journalist and publishing commentator Danuta Kean and National Literacy Trust Director, Jonathan Douglas.

Familiar arguments were wrestled with an array of differing opinions on electronic formats versus the traditional book. The panel was also clear that whilst the digital publishing process is far easier than for traditional formats, the protection of copyright is far harder.

It was unanimously agreed that the creators and Intellectual Property must be protected in order that they can make a living from their work; and that educating consumers is vital to ensure they understand the value of digital content.

For the full press release please click here.

9 June 2009

APWG Celebrates PLR 30TH

Rt Hon Denis MacShane MP, Vice Chair of the All Party Writers Group gave an introduction at the event held on the terrace at the House of Commons. Over 150 guests showed their support, among them Babette Cole, Jenny Colgan and Tracy Chevalier.

Speakers in cluded Dr James Parker, Registrar of Public Lending Right and Maureen Duffy, writer and authors’ rights campaigner.

Denis Macshane speaking at the terrace event on 9 June 2009.

Click here for the full press release.

17 March 2009

Papers for the meeting are available for download here:
Journalism + Publishers
(1785 – present)
PLR Paper

11 December 2008

All Party Writers Group AGM and Christmas Drinks reception

The documents for the All Party Writers Group Annual General Meeting can be downloaded here:

Agenda
PLR Briefing Paper
Achievements so far
Question from Ian Gibson to David Lammy MP - 20 November 08.

See the press release from the event here.

8 July 2008

Writers meet the Secretary of State to discuss their rights

At a meeting of the All Party Writers Group (APWG) on the 8th July, The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport met with writers and representatives from the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS), the Public Lending Right (PLR) Advisory Committee and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The meeting provided an opportunity for writers and their representatives to raise various issues with the Secretary of State and discuss the challenges faced by writers in securing a fair return for the use of their work in an ever-more challenging environment.

Representatives from the NUJ described the coercive practices that often govern relationships between freelance writers and newspaper and periodical publishers, highlighting the fact that contracts requiring global rights for all media have become the norm. They also noted that the contract law operating in some other EU Member States provides greater certainty for creators by establishing a right for authors to share in the future commercial success of their work.

The Secretary of State acknowledged the success of the PLR scheme, noting that the UK model had become recognised as the template for similar schemes under development within Europe. Representatives from PLR Advisory Committee registered their disappointment at the cuts suffered in the last funding round and suggested that, to mark the 30th anniversary of enactment of the Public Lending Right Act (1979), the DCMS may wish to consider a review of the present regulations. The Secretary of State noted that the current legislation only dealt with the lending of printed books and that in a changing digital environment, where various works may be accessed through public libraries, a review would be an appropriate way to mark this anniversary.

The Secretary of State spoke about the importance of the forthcoming cross-departmental consultation concerning the unauthorised use of creative content on-line and the role played by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in this process. The representatives from ALCS welcomed government activity in this area, noting the vast amount of works created by their members that are currently used on-line without acknowledgement or payment. They suggested that a holistic solution to these issues needed to address education, proportional enforcement measures, support for legitimate access through licensing and, where necessary, support for compensation schemes.

Andy Burnham demonstrated his support for writers and the issues they wish to see addressed by government, when he took up the offer of APWG membership.

“We are delighted that the Secretary of State has become a member of the APWG,” said the Group’s Chair, Dr Ian Gibson MP. “The voice of writers, and all other creators needs to be taken seriously at the highest level in government if as a nation we are to remain competitive in the global creative economy.”

The Secretary of State also kindly agreed to join a panel debate at the Labour Party Conference on 22nd September to be hosted by ALCS and British Music Rights (BMR): Standing at the cultural crossroads: is the digital environment supporting or subverting the rights of creative individuals?

2 June 2008

Summer drinks reception on the terrace

Sponsored by Dr Ian Gibson MP and the All Party Writers Group, a drinks reception with speakers Margaret Hodge and poet Wendy Cope, was held on the terrace of the House of Commons.

Dr Ian Gibson MP with Ben Okri and Philippa Gregory at the Summer drinks reception

6 May 2008

A Fair Approach?

On 6 May 2008, the APWG met with representatives from other All Party Groups and industry experts representing a broad range of interests to discuss the common issues facing different types of creators.

The briefing document for the meeting and the presentation given can be downloaded below:

Briefing document
Presentation

21 February 2008

How Big is your Cultural Footprint?

On 21 February 2008, the APWG met to discuss some recent research into consumer attitudes to the remuneration of writers.

Click here for more information about the research and the presentation given by the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society Ltd (ALCS).

The Group also discussed the recent funding cut on Public Lending Right (PLR). Dr Ian Gibson MP has tabled an Early Day Motion, to view this please click here.

The APWG supported this EDM and would encourage all interested parties to review it and if they feel able, add their name in support.

The EDM number is 932.