Copyright law delayed

The UK implementation of the European Copyright Directive has been delayed, according to the UK Patent Office.

The directive will see Europe signing up to the World Intellectual Property Organisation Copyright Treaty, which extends protection for European authors, artists and creators internationally and adjusts Europe's copyright law to accommodate digital applications.

The Patent Office said the legislation would be ready by "late spring" and had been delayed by the complexity of the issues involved. So far, only Greece and Denmark have completed implementation.