EURIM Newsletter and Notices – May 2003
1) Competitiveness
The implications of the movement of added-value employment
to India Pacific Rim
During the EURIM AGM and subsequent
reception there was much discussion of political priorities for the year ahead,
including the need to expedite Broadband roll-out as a matter of economic survival. It is not just call centres and data entry which
are moving overseas. Software, service and design jobs are now following. The
rapidly increasing availability of local fibre and wi-fi
connections around the
On 14th April the BSG aggregation group
identified a number of actions to help remove the barriers to achieving
critical mass and economies of scale in broadband roll-out. These included
getting the main suppliers to publicise business models (not just case
studies), round table meetings on the plans of the Health and Education sectors
and a workshop with the Information Commissioner on the data protection issues
which appear to be blocking the collation of the home connection needs of
employees. This group now brings together most of the main infrastructure
suppliers with a growing number of those responsible for delivering broadband
applications services to all parts of the
2) Modernising Government
Addressing the points of leverage and reviewing overall strategy
Central government and the Cabinet Office are fully committed, not just to delivering services online, but to transforming the way in which government operates, using good programme management practice. The OeE is leading a series of initiatives and OGC has produced some excellent guidance material but there is a disjoint between central government and the departments, between saying and doing, and implementation is variable. Finding ways to address the divides and identifying the partners with whom to work to achieve results, will be priorities for the year ahead. Those interested are asked to contact emma.fryer@eurim.org
e-Government strategy –
- and the need to look beyond 2005
The Modernising Government white paper was
published in 1999 and the e-Government Strategy in April 2000. The landscape of
infrastructure and delivery models has since changed, even if the objectives
have not. The proliferation of departmental initiatives has also led to
uncertainty as to priorities and responsibilities for delivery. A sub-group led
by Jonathan Tamblyn, LogicaCMG, is exploring the need for an updated strategic
framework to show how the various initiatives fit together, including the
targets for 2005 and visions beyond, to restore coherence to the overall
programme, clarify roles and responsibilities, and ensure that investment is
prioritised .
The possible areas for work include:
- An overview of the work to date and lessons learned to reduce future duplicated and/or wasted effort.
- Exercises to re-focus the 2005 targets on improving functionality, particularly where this crosses departmental boundaries, rather than “merely” putting the same services online.
- A review of the strategic framework to take account of changes since 2000, including approaches to the managing of risk.
Open Source in Government:
what is it and why does it matter?
The Office of E-Envoy supports the evaluation of Open Source solutions alongside conventional commercial software. But there is confusion as to how it is defined, what is available and when it is appropriate. This sub group has produced a draft introduction for policy makers and decision-takers which builds on the more detailed work available from the OEE and OGC. E-mail emma.fryer@eurim.org for a review copy.
Social Exclusion:
the need to ensure that ICT aids inclusion
rather than creates new forms of exclusion
Government has committed to addressing social exclusion problems with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Social Exclusion Unit. Current priorities focus on transport, education and runaways but ICT technologies will underpin the vast majority of interactions, including those between the citizen and government, and can change the nature of those interactions in significant ways, including the introduction of new forms of exclusion. An overview of the issue of social exclusion as it relates to ICT has been produced by the sub-group, led by Richard Sykes, and is currently under review. E-mail emma.fryer@eurim.org for a copy.
Medical Records and Systems:
the need for evidence based arguments
The sub-group, led by Geoff Llewellyn, SchlumbergerSema is now working to provide scientific and professional opinion-formers with evidence-based material on the benefits of data sharing for both patients and healthcare professionals. A number of events and activities are being considered and proposals being drafted accordingly. Please e-mail davywright@ntlworld.com if you would like to be involved.
3) E-Crime
Building practical co-operation
On 1st May we are due to launch publicly a
programme of co-operation with IPPR (and others) with the unashamed aim of
setting the
We are currently working on dates, venues and invitation lists for the initial programme of workshops as well as asking members to indicate their level of interest. We are particularly looking for those likely to be active participants: hosting events, contributing funding over and above their normal subscription sponsorship and providing inputs in areas where they have particular expertise or concerns. We have had a good response to date from those already registered for the E-Crime group. Those interested but not yet registered are asked to e-mail admin@eurim.org for details.
The Regulation of
Investigatory Powers:
putting the regulation into RIPA and retention
The Foundation for Information Policy
Research and Privacy International are organising a public meeting on the Home
Office data retention and access consultations from
4) Fair Dealing
Making a reality of alternative dispute resolution for E-Commerce and ICT
The meeting on 11th June has been confirmed
and will be at 15.45 for 16.00 - 17.30 in the
The growing controversy over Intellectual Property Rights
The EU Commission's proposal for a Directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/indprop/piracy/index.htm. is expected to stir the growing debates over copyright and/or patent protection for software, as well as those over digital rights management business models, let alone technologies, for handling electronic content.
This is part of a broad-based approach by the Commission to tackle counterfeiting and piracy and covers infringement of all intellectual property rights (both copyright and industrial property, such as trade marks, patents and designs) deriving from Community and European law. It concentrates on infringements carried out for commercial purposes or which cause significant harm to rights holders and includes:
§ General provisions - provision of proportionate measures and procedures to enforce ipr;
§ Evidence - to enable judicial authorities to order the communication or seizure of documents;
§ Right of information - regarding the origin of goods or services thought to infringe an ipr;
§ Provisional and precautionary measures - to prevent infringement or freeze assets;
§ Measures to enable judicial authorities to order recall, disposal, destruction and prevention;
§ Damages and legal costs - at double royalties for an authorised user or actual loss and legal costs;
§ Publicity measures, criminal law provisions, technical measures, co-operation and review.
The proposal will be considered under the "co-decision procedure", that is by the Council of Ministers, acting by a qualified majority after obtaining an opinion from the European Parliament. The timetable is unclear, but the Competitiveness Council, who will deal with this proposal, will have its first discussion during the Greek Presidency (ie. before end June 2003). The Patent Office intends to keep interested parties informed of progress and from time may arrange open meetings to discuss the proposal.
Those interested, or with comments on the
proposals at this stage are asked to e-mail jeff.watson@patent.gov.uk
or write to Jeff Watson, The Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road,
Newport, NP10 8QQ, tel:+44(0)1633 813650
EURIM has started discussions with other groups looking at IPR issues on how best to work together to stage constructive debate and identify positive ways forward which encourage and reward creativity. Please e-mail admin@eurim.org if you are interested in helping drive work in this area or in active participation. Suggestions as to other groups with whom we should work in this area are also most welcome.
5) Communications Regulation
The Interim Plans
A well-attended workshop with DTI and Oftel on 4th April discussed the consultation on the implementation of the four EC Electronic Communications Directives under the interim implementation plan. Issues included the need to prevent existing contracts being voided by the replacement of the current licensing regime by a system of general authorizations. Any amendments to the Bill in the House of Lords will need to be reflected in the parallel statutory instruments of the Interim Implementation plan. Parliamentary lobbying and responses to the consultation should therefore be synchronised.
The consultation on the Interim
Implementation plan and General Conditions closes on
A joint
DTI/EURIM event on the Data Protection and Electronic Communications (Directive
2002/58/EC) consultation is planned for 9th May at 7 Millbank,
Internet Regulation
separating the do-able from the desirable but impractical
On 23rdApril, the Internet Regulation subgroup, chaired by Sarah Terry, AOLTW, held its scoping meeting. Many issues were raised but the meeting agreed to focus on those on which action was realistic, with recommendations as to who should do what, rather than to spend time discussing issues where there was no consensus or no solution in realistic prospect. One immediate concern was that unless effective action was taken against the proliferation of SPAM, which was now slowing down the Internet and holding back business, regulation would be inevitable. Another current topic was the common desire for a “one-stop-shop” for those with Internet problems. There were a number of initiatives in this area but it was unclear which, if any, was making serious progress. Members agreed to report back on their priorities for action, and meet again on 28th May.
6) Governance
After the AGM the EURIM Directors are: Brian White MP (Chairman), Giles Chichester MEP , Lord McNally, John McWilliam MP, Margaret Moran MP, Lord Randall of St Budeaux, Lord Renwick, and Ian Colin Taylor, MBE MP. The other parliamentary members of Council are: Richard Allan MP, Christopher Chope MP, Lord Crickhowell PC, Earl of Erroll, Roger Gale MP, Malcolm Harbour MEP, Tony McWalter MP, Andrew Miller MP, Bill Olner MP, Ian Stewart MP, Robert Walter MP and Derek Wyatt MP. The non-parliamentary members are: Ian Bruce (EMTA), Duncan Chapman (Royal Mail) Carl Gibson (Energis) Chris Godwin (IBM), Anne Heal (BT), Paul Jackson (CIPFA), Lee Johnson (Computacenter), Nick Penston (CISCO), John Riley (Computer Weekly), David Roberts (tif), Mike Rodd (BCS), Jonathan Tamblyn (LogicaCMG) Malcolm Taylor (Telewest), Sarah Terry (AOL) and David Todd (Aviva)