Wellcome Trust statement on the Government response to the Hargreaves review

4 August 2011

The Wellcome Trust is pleased that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Hargreaves review of intellectual property. We believe the actions proposed are crucial to address the barriers that the UK’s outdated copyright system presents to research and innovation.

Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, says: "The reforms to copyright proposed by the Hargreaves review are urgently needed. In particular, the introduction of an exception under copyright law to enable researchers to utilise text and data mining tools on the wealth of information contained in published works will accelerate discovery and its application for societal benefit. We are delighted that the Government has recognised the need for change, and hope that these key measures will be implemented without delay."

Image credit: Emily Evans, Wellcome Images.

Contact

Craig Brierley
Senior Media Officer
Wellcome Trust
T +44 (0)20 7611 7329
E c.brierley@wellcome.ac.uk

Notes for editors

About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests.