Copyright laws under scrutiny.

ENSURING the UK's copyright laws are fit for the digital age is the focus of a consultation exercise launched by Lord Triesman, minister for intellectual property.

Proposals include greater freedom for consumers to legally transfer music or films between, for example, CDs and an MP3 player - so-called "format-shifting".

Other proposals include changes to enable schools and universities to make the most of digital technologies and facilitate distance learning.

The government is committed to consulting widely on the recommendations to ensure the UK's copyright laws remains globally competitive in a rapidly changing, digital world.

UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office.