Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take steps to support small businesses whose intellectual property and trademarks are being challenged by large corporate firms; and to if he will make an assessment of whether legal fees for small businesses subjected to such unmeritorious claims should be routinely paid by the applicant where cases are successfully defended at Intellectual Property Office hearings.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the challenges faced by small businesses who become involved in litigation. Small businesses and unrepresented parties litigating at the IPO Tribunal have high levels of support available, including being able to email or phone expert staff directly, who can provide explanations and assistance. The Tribunal routinely awards costs in favour of the winning party, considering the merits of the case and the conduct of the parties. Costs are usually awarded on a standard scale but larger costs awards are made where appropriate. Claims which are totally without merit can also be struck out at an early stage.
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require (a) Instagram and (b) other social media channels to add posting dates to all posts.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government is committed to making the internet safer. Media literacy can help users engage critically with online content, including contextual data and labelling. Since 2022, DSIT has provided £3 million in funding for media literacy projects that empower users to navigate the online world safely.
The Online Safety Act updated Ofcom’s statutory media literacy duty by placing targeted duties on the regulator to help the public assess the reliability, accuracy and authenticity of content on services. Ofcom has published a three-year media literacy strategy that emphasises collaboration with platforms. We look forward to working with them as they implement these strategies.
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to review the use in the public sector of web tags to record data.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Public sector organisations are responsible for their own websites and DSIT has no plans to review or issue guidance on the use of web tags. All public sector organisations must comply with data protection laws.