Freedom of information act

• Definition of what it means-  public authorities are obliged to publish certain info about therir activities and members of the public are entitled to request informa
• Three reasons why it is important- allows people to chech up on public authorities
• what are the consequences of not adhering to this law? – you are given an opportunity to reconsider your actions before taking any formal actions  
• Find an example of where this legal issue was breached- in 2010 the law was breached by a council by not saying how many two consultants were paid
• how does this law effect production companies? – it’s easier to access certain footage i.e. CCTV and allows people to remove any information about themselves  

intellectual property rights

• Definition of what it means -intellectual property rights means someone can’t use some think you have created without your permition
• Three reasons why it is important -supports over 55 milion American jobs, drives economic growth and competitiveness, helps to make a reliable and inform decisions on purcases
• what are the consequences of not adhering to this law? -  criminal prosecution against the copy right infringement law.
• Find an example of where this legal issue was breached – amazon has a paitent for one click purchase which was copied in 1999 by Barnes and Nobel
• how does this law effect production companies? – they must get the rights to an image or piece of music for collaboration

libel and slander

·         Definition of what it means – Libel-making a negative written statement about some that could be damaging to them slander

·         Three reasons why it is important-to protect yourself from prosecution, to avoid broadcasting false information, avoid large financial loss

·         what are the consequences of not adhering to this law? – being forces to issue a formal apology and incur financial loss.

·         Find an example of where this legal issue was breached – a politician accused another politician of being involve in a child sex abuse case.

·         how does this law effect production companies? -what is said in an interview or article must be true

copy right designs and patients act 1998

·         Definition of what it means -claiming ownership over music, books ect

• Three reasons why it is important- it’s a legal, requirement, protect your material
• what are the consequences of not adhering to this law? – fines can be given out up to £50,000 and a jail sentence up to 10 years
• Find an example of where this legal issue was breached-puff daddy copied stings song and puff daddy was forced to give 100% of the royalties
• how does this law effect production companies? – work must be checked for any copyrighted material

patent-a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.