Citation

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Digital Economy Act 2017 (Commencement No. 1) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021.

Provision coming into force on 30th June 2021

2.  Section 31 (lending of e-books by public libraries) of the Digital Economy Act 2017 comes into force on 30th June 2021 in relation to Northern Ireland only.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring into force section 31 (lending of e-books by public libraries) of the Digital Economy Act 2017 on 30th June 2021 in relation to Northern Ireland only. This provision amends the definition of “lent out” in the Public Lending Right Act 1979 (the “1979 Act”) so that it extends to communication by means of electronic transmission to a place other than library premises. This captures the remote lending of e-books and audio-books and results in the extension of the public lending right under the 1979 Act to such remote lending. This provision also amends the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, so that copyright in an e-book or e-audio-book (as defined) within the public lending right scheme is not infringed by lending by a public library, provided that the e-book or e-audio-book has been lawfully acquired by the public library and the lending complies with any purchase or licensing terms to which the book is subject.

The Explanatory Notes for the Digital Economy Act 2017 provide an explanation of the provisions in the Act and are available online (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/30/pdfs/ukpgaen_20170030_en.pdf) and in hard copy from TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN (telephone orders/general enquiries: 0333 202 5070).

NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT REGULATIONS

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The following provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017 have been brought into force, to the extent indicated below, by commencement regulations made before the date of these Regulations.