Michael Rawlinson on Ending of Tax Breaks
| Written by: Etali |
| Date: 2010-08-06 |
Following the Government’s decision to pull tax breaks from the UK computer games industry, a leading industry figure has called for companies to “work differently” to ensure their survival. Michael Rawlinson, Director General of ELSPA, believes that the traditional distinctions between developers and publishers are being blurred by the growth of digital content. To make money in this “brave new world”, he says companies must fully understand how to protect their intellectual property (IP). Michael will outline his position, the challenges he sees for the future of the industry, and the new ways companies should be working at Digital Spark, a new conference being held in September at the University of Abertay Dundee. The conference also features speeches from senior Sony and Nokia executives on protecting IP, beginners’ sessions for creative companies struggling to understand the complexities of copyright, and talks from a wide range of international legal experts. Michael said: “The industry was extremely disappointed to see tax breaks pulled from under our feet. The Government is committed to rebalancing the economy, but without thriving creative industries the stability of the recovery from recession has to be in doubt. “We all need to regroup after the tax breaks decision, and exciting initiatives like the new Digital Spark conference at Abertay University will really help. Bringing together developers, producers and legal experts under one roof is essential for small businesses to protect their position.” He added: “The brave new world is looking increasingly challenging, but there are still many, many new opportunities being created by digital distribution. But without a strong grasp of controlling intellectual property, companies are putting at risk all their hard work. “Last year NESTA’s Time to Play report identified tax breaks as an important step towards encouraging new business models and kick-starting original IP. The tax breaks may have gone for now, but the need to work differently, work more closely together, and work harder than ever remains.” Michael will give the industry address to Digital Spark, Abertay University’s new intellectual property conference for creative companies being held on 1-2 September 2010. Some spaces are still available. His talk is titled ‘A Brave New World - Bridging the Divide between Developers and Publishers’ and follows a morning of introductory sessions for creative companies new to intellectual property. Margaret Hartnett, conference organiser and IP Manager at Abertay University, said: “We all know that the games industry and other creative companies are facing enormous commercial challenges. Having worked as a European Patent Attorney, I’ve seen first-hand the difference proper IP management makes to companies needing to turn a profit to survive. “Michael is absolutely right “ the creative industries do need to work differently. By bringing together experts on content production, commercialisation and IP law, Digital Spark gives small businesses unique access to personal advice from some of the world’s leading experts. That level of insight is priceless for any business.” |
