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Hove MP stands down as IP advisor to Prime Minister

Mike Weatherley MP for Hove & Portslade and Intellectual Property Adviser to the Prime Minister has written to the Prime Minister to inform him that he is standing down as his IP adviser.

Mike Weatherley, MP

MIKE WAS appointed by the Prime Minister in September 2013 to be his Intellectual Property Adviser. In the role, he has worked closely with the Interlectual Property Office and others on many issues, including the IP Bill and the SIs on exceptions following the Hargreaves report.

He has also published three seminal reports on IP issues, namely search engines and advertising revenue on pirate sites, with his third report on Copyright Education and Awareness, published today.

Since his appointment, Mike has received praise for his work from within industry, as well as parliamentarians from both sides of the House. A number of colleagues have praised Mike’s contribution to Parliament as an expert in the field of IP and that his endeavours have been valuable to the country.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mike wrote: “As you know, I announced in July that I would not be seeking re-election in 2015 and having undertaken this role for a year I now believe that this it is time for me to step aside as we approach and plan for the General Election.

“As your IP adviser I have been privileged work closely with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the national Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) based at City of London Police. John Alty, Chief Executive of the IPO, has been excellent Government official to work with and provided me with first-rate support. Also, Commander Stephen Head is an outstanding leader of a great team at PIPCU.

“Industry, both at home and abroad, have been extremely pleased with the conduit role that my position facilitated and I hope that this improved dialogue will continue. I feel that my contribution has significantly raised the importance of IP with legislators and others – IP has now become an accepted intrinsic part of entrepreneurship.

“I am pleased that the two reports that I have submitted previously to you, Search Engines and Piracy: A Discussion Paper and Follow the Money: Financial Options to Assist in the Battle Against Online Piracy, have been a helpful contribution to how our country addresses Intellectual Property issues. My final report on ‘Education’ I hope will help drive a wider message.”

Mike commented: “It has been a wonderful opportunity to work with the Prime Minister in this way. Feedback from industry has been very encouraging throughout the time that I served as the Prime Minister’s adviser and I have very much enjoyed the work that was involved in both tackling IP crime and boosting the profile of IP generally.”

Prime Minister: David Cameron
Prime Minister: David Cameron

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister, said: “I wish to thank Mike for his hard work over the last year in raising the profile of the importance of Intellectual Property. Respect for Intellectual Property is crucial to our economy and the role that Mike has played has been a great help to the Government in addressing this important issue.”

Sajid Javid MP
Sajid Javid MP

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, added: “Mike has been a passionate and powerful advocate for intellectual property and I would like to play tribute to the role he has played as the Prime Minister’s IP adviser. He has made a whole series of thoughtful recommendations which we have has either already acted upon, or are actively considering. I’d like to thank him for all he has done.” 

Com. Stephen Head
Com. Stephen Head

Commander Stephen Head, City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said: “I was very sad to hear Mike Weatherley is stepping down from his role as the Prime Minister’s IP Adviser and wish him the very best for the future. He has been an inspirational leader in raising public and private sector awareness of the importance of IP crime to the UK economy and a dedicated and highly valued supporter of our Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit throughout its first year in operation.

“In particular Mike’s hard work and commitment has focused Government attention on the key facilitators of IP crime and been instrumental in the establishment of a credible UK deterrent involving a staged multi-agency approach that is now recognised as international best-practice and is being replicated by a many other countries around the world.”

Dandifest the Movie!

The Norwich Dandies have released a short film to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

Dandifest The Movie!

THE FILM includes a performance of the poem My Mental Helmet by controversial poet and HIV activist Vince Laws.

Vince said: “Let’s all be a little bit kinder, less quick to judge, more accepting of difference… our own lives will be enriched.”

Vince Laws: My Mental Helmet
Vince Laws: My mental helmet

To view the video, CLICK HERE:

If after watching it you’d like to vote for the Norwich Dandies in the Norfolk Art Awards you can register your vote by midnight on Sunday by CLICKING HERE:

 

 

Open air theatre gets go ahead on Dyke Road bowls site

A disused bowling green will be turned into an open air theatre following planning permission being granted by Brighton & Hove City Council this week.

BOAT: Dyke Road Open Air Theatre

THE FORMER green in Dyke Road Park will be landscaped to form an amphitheatre shape, with a three-metre acoustic wall to dampen noise during performances. Lighting for performances will be set up as required.

Highest parts of the amphitheatre will be just 1.5m above the existing footpath, with the stage about the same depth below and a seating capacity on grass terraces for 425 people.

The application was originally deferred by the planning committee last April in order to clarify how many performances would take place.

Permission now allows performances up to 10pm, Monday to Saturday and 6pm on Sunday and they may take place up to six times a week or 22 times per month.

A charity, Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) will run the venue with performances being staged by local schools, colleges, community groups and touring productions.

The amphitheatre will also be a Brighton Festival and Fringe venue and when not in use it will be a sitting-out area for the general public.

Wifi will be installed in due course and the adjacent Pavilion will serve as offices for production staff.

The green was closed by the council in 2013 to save money following dwindling bowls club membership.

Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty

Chair of the planning committee Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Councillors voted unanimously to grant the Brighton Open Air Theatre. It will bring an exciting new venue to the cultural offer of the city.

“In a fitting memorial to the late playwright Adrian Bunting, it will offer a unique stage for theatre and the spoken word in the open air. The city’s younger actors will have an extra venue where they can tread the boards and gain confidence in the performing arts. 

“A valuable new asset has been brought to the local community and to the wider city. A suitably sublime and theatrical way to bring people to Dyke Road Park, which will in turn help it survive and thrive. I wish it every success.”

PREVIEW: X Factor 2015 live tour announced

The X Factor Live Tour starts in Belfast on February 13, 2015 and comes to Brighton on Monday, March 16.

X Factor Live Tour 2015

YOU’VE TAKEN the journey with them from the room to the arena, sat on the edge of your sofa during the dramatic six-seat challenge at boot camp, travelled to judges’ houses and from this weekend will be tuning in to the studio shows; now is your chance to see The X Factor live, with contestants performing classic songs and viewers’ favourites from the TV series.

Attended by over three million people, The X Factor Live Tour has been one of the most successful annual arena tours in the UK for the past ten years.

Tickets go on sale today, Friday, October 10 at 9 a.m., so don’t miss the opportunity to catch this year’s stars live in an arena near you.

Tour Dates:

February

Friday, February 13 – Belfast Odyssey Arena

Sunday, February 15 – 3 Arena Dublin

Wednesday, February 18 – Bournemouth BIC

Friday, February 20 – Manchester Arena

Sunday, February 22 – Nottingham Capital FM Arena

Thursday, February 26 –  Newcastle Metro Arena

Friday, February 27 – Glasgow The SSE Hydro

March

Sunday, March 1 – Aberdeen GE Arena (AECC)

Thursday, March 5 –  Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

Saturday, March 7 – Leeds First Direct Arena

Sunday, March 8 – Liverpool Echo Arena

Monday, March 9 – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Thursday, March 12 – London The SSE Arena, Wembley

Saturday, March 14 – Birmingham LG Arena

Monday, March 16 – Brighton Centre

Friday, March 20 – London The O2

Tickets for the Brighton Centre show went on sale this morning, Friday, October 10, priced £19.50, £35 and £55

Box office: 0844 847 1515

Tickets including limited availability Family Tickets (4 tickets maximum 2 adults) are available from the venue box offices, select ticket agents and the official hotlines listed below.

www.gigsandtours.com  / www.ticketmaster.co.uk  

0844 811 0051 / 0844 826 2826

For more information, CLICK HERE:

 

 

 

 

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