In an anncoucement that I have heard at many sporting occasions, there is one change to the team as listed in the programme. In this context, we have one change for the Copyright Review Committee public meeting at 8:30 next Monday morning, 04 July 2011, in the Robert Emmet Lecture Theatre, Room 2037 Arts Block, Trinity College Dublin (map here). Darragh Doyle won’t be able to give his presentation, but we are delighted to announce that David Cochrane, founder and editor of leading current affairs website Politics.ie will take his place on the team-sheet. I will chair, and the other speakers will be Brian Fallon, co-founder of Distilled Media, and TJ McIntyre, Chairman of Digital Rights Ireland. Speaking about the announcement of the public meeting, the Minister for Research & Innovation, Seán Sherlock said:

it is important that we get a clear understanding of the effects of copyright policy, and in particular the economic effects of possible changes to existing copyright law. It is for this reason I feel it is necessary to consult with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible.

In my view, this public meeting is a key element of the Committee’s fact-finding, and I would encourage all those with a strong interest in Ireland’s copyright legislation to attend and air their views. It is important for the Committee that there is good interaction at the meeting and that a variety of views and ideas from the different copyright interests are presented.