UK Supreme Court asks Europe's top court to decide fundamental issues around internet browsing

The UK Supreme Court has decided to refer fundamental questions about the operation of the internet and copyright to the Court of Justice of the European Union.   The outcome of the case could have a The UK Supreme Court has decided to refer fundamental questions about the operation of the internet and copyright to the Court of Justice of the European Union.   The outcome of the case could have a huge impact on internet users across the EU.

The Supreme Court's provisional opinion is that, where a web-page is viewed by a user on his computer, without being downloaded or printed, the temporary copies made on screen and in the internet "cache" should be exempt from copyright infringement. These copies are merely an incidental consequence of using a computer to view the material and the "temporary copies exception" in s28A CDPA 1988 should allow the making of such copies to enable users to view copyright material on the internet.

See link for further discussion on this Meltwater decision.

Public Relations Consultants Association Limited (Appellant) v The Newspaper Licensing Agency Limited and others (Respondents) (2013) UKSC 18