(Re)structuring Copyright � A Comprehensive Path to International Copyright Reform

A BOLD AND PERSUASIVE STATEMENT ON THE CHANGING FACE OF COPYRIGHT IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

An appreciation by Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE of "The Barrister"

This book represents a substantial call for a full reform of the system of copyright to fit the requirements of the 21st century. Daniel Gervais writes that "the current lack of equilibrium and the deficient structure of copyright results, in part, from a process of historical changes and accretions to the list of copyright "rights" and in part from a lack of clarity as to its purpose."

So, for many people, this call for a review cannot come too quickly because of the massive problems which have been thrown up by the changes we have seen in what we call "information technology". Frankly speaking, many of us have not treated this subject seriously enough… Gervais, however, does.

The biggest single headache at the moment is the internet which has changed forever our online world leading to what has been described as a structure of copyright which, in its current form, has become inadequate and, to use the phrase of the moment "unfit for purpose".

We found this "bold and persuasive work" by Gervais asks all the pertinent questions of the moment- many of which still remain completely ignored by many who want the current antiquated system to remain because it suits some peoples' purposes. However, Gervais submits that "the international copyright system is in need of a root and branch rethink" and how right he is. In essence, he aims "to inform the debate about the future of copyright and its influence on human creativity", especially with the advances in artificial intelligence.

And, yes, it's rightly an "ambitious and far-reaching book" where the author "sets out to diagnose in some detail the problems faced by copyright, before eloquently mapping out a path for comprehensive and structured reform". Frankly it remains a welcome read for all involved in copyright matters, professional or lay people, and unrepresented parties with a problem. The main objectives are set out by the author "to identify structural and other deficiencies within the current system, and to outline a structured approach to copyright reform". He does just that and it is a jolly good read with much commendable detail.

"(Re)structuring Copyright" is set out in the following way: Part I is diagnostic in nature whilst Part II offers "detailed and concrete pathways to improve the current system", whilst in the Epilogue, a clear recommendation to revise the Berne Convention is proposed. Gervais likes the word "pathways"!

And Gervais also gives us a "reasoned and novel voice" to a copyright debate ("we can all 'win'") that is all too often driven by ignorance and partisan self-interest. We agree that it should be required reading for all copyright scholars, advisers and practitioners with an interest in the way in which the subject of copyright can be developed in the near future.

The book was published in 2017 and it is available as a book, online and as an ebook.