We believe the anti-circumvention rules and digital locks brought in by the UK’s 2003 Copyright and Related Rights Regulations have enabled powerful tech monopolies to grow, stifled UK innovation, blocked the right to repair, and slowed development of a circular economy for e-devices.

Parliament should reform this law. We believe that reviewing this legislation could allow more opportunities for UK tech development. Such a review should consider the licensing models of software companies and the effect they have on consumers and the longevity of electrical products. Changes could for example allow farmers to fix their own tractors without paying thousands for a code to unlock the software, and a renewed approach to longevity of products could extend product lifespans to reduce the mining of critical raw materials. We call on Parliament to act.