Digital Content is a varied and wide-reaching sector, which includes publishing, software, web development, graphic design, computer games, and broadcasting. It spans the whole range of companies that use the tools and functions of interactive media to bring new digital content products and services to market. The convergence of delivery platforms and the introduction of broadband technologies mean that there are many issues on the horizon for digital content producers to consider.

We work with the digital content industries on a range of activities aimed at raising competitiveness and productivity, in particular through the industry organization, the Digital Content Forum (DCF). The DCF brings together trade associations and other membership bodies from across the digital content industries. The DCF gathers views across its membership, gives input into the Government policymaking process, develops shared knowledge and promotes innovation and excellence across the sector. Working with the DTI, it recently produced "UK Digital Content: Exploiting the Opportunity", which identified core issues for the industry and set out its manifesto for growth.

Full details of the DCF and "Exploiting the Opportunity" can be found on the DCF website at www.dcf.org.uk/

Digital Content and Broadband

Broadband creates a number of opportunities for digital content, and the DTI has been working with industry to take them forward.  Significant progress has been made over the past 12 months.

Following two major studies commissioned by DTI and the Digital Content Forum, the most recent one completed in May 2003 into the feasibility of broadband content pilots, a number of important developments have taken place. (The reports  can be downloaded as a PDF from the download area of this site).

An important aim of the most recent study was to assess the broadband content pilots' potential impact on the productivity and competitiveness of the broadband sector.  The study was widely welcomed with overwhelmingly positive responses received from the many interested bodies in the private and public sector.   

DTI’s implementation approach to the study’s findings has focused on working actively with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Devolved Administrations (DAs) on broadband content, by disseminating the report’s findings and promoting inter-regional consultation and exchange of views and practice. 

DTI has succeeded in deepening the understanding of the RDAs and DAs on broadband content and involving them in the issues with a view to reviewing their economic strategies with broadband content in mind.  We have raised knowledge and awareness levels and obtained buy-in to the concept that broadband content development needs to be a collaborative effort, both between Regions and Nations, and between regions and the DTI, industry and other stakeholders.

DTI has also supported the RDAs and DAs in localising the broadband content initiatives tailored to their own digital strategy, and in particular contributed to achieving a joined-up and cohesive approach on broadband content across and between Regions/Nations.  Following are examples of projects: 

• North West: The Liverpool Digital project will lead to economic regeneration and prosperity in the region, a key element of which involves a version of the content commissioning pilot, the Broadband Channel.
• North East: The planned pilot deploying broadband-enabled collaborative working is aimed at the construction sector.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise:Evaluated broadband-enabled collaborative working for the creative sectors, which is pending availability of funding.  
• Northern Ireland: Making a tangible financial commitment using the UK Broadband Fund to refocus the Fund towards broadband content and applications through commissioning and part funding of bids to develop innovative content and applications.  

A DTI press notice (www.dti.gov.uk/pn)  released on 9th December 2003 highlighted DTI’s continued engagement and involvement in progressing the work on broadband content by working closely with the RDAs and DAs.  It welcomed the work going on in the Regions to stimulate broadband content development, and the recognition that more can be accomplished by working collaboratively.  The input from the Regions and Nations to the press notice was very positive and encouraging.  DTI will continue to progress the work on broadband content by engaging with the Regions and Nations,  to establish further collaborative working.   

The South West of England Regional Development Agency organised a regional broadband content event on 24^th February 2004, in Bristol, to celebrate the Broadbandshow, which has been running since July 2002.  This pioneering work on broadband content was carried out by the Bristol Interactive Cluster (BRIC) and supported in part by the DTI's Broadband Fund.   Stephen Timms, Minister for Energy, eCommerce and Postal Services addressed the event in a pre-recorded video message, by congratulating the region and endorsing the Broadbandshow, as providing a significant contribution to catalysing the development of broadband content in the UK.  A full script of his speech can be viewed in the download area.

Contact:
Mervyn Levin
Telephone: +44  (0)20 7215 0812
E-mail: mervyn.levin@dti.gsi.gov.uk

The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Futurelab-DTI placement scheme
Are you a SME engaged in developing digital content for education, particularly from the publishing, interactive games, internet, film animation and television industries?

The DTI provides financial sponsorship to The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA Futurelab) for industry placements to come and work with the NESTA Futurelab team in Bristol on a range of short-term assignments.

NESTA Futurelab are now looking for individuals or companies from a range of disciplines, e.g. multimedia producers, designers, editors, technologists and software developers who can demonstrate a proven interest in applying new technologies to create compelling, interactive learning resources. 

Secondees should have a willingness to collaborate and to share ideas, inspirations, knowledge and expertise.   Participating organisations will benefit from access to a diverse range of skills, contacts and ideas in the rapidly developing educational market for interactive media. Funding is provided for each secondee as a contribution to salary, travel and accommodation.

Applications are welcome from small and medium enterprises involved in the production of digital media. 

To register your interest or to find out more about the opportunities, please e-mail office@nestafuturelab.org.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Digital Rights Management is an important issue for the content industries, and we have worked with industry on this as part of the work of the Broadband Stakeholder Group.  It is aimed to create an inventory of current content management systems, and generate greater knowledge about likely value chains and the major economic, legal and technical issues at different points in such chains. A framework is to be set up within which elements of DRM will be evaluated. The DRM report is now available on the BSG website covering, inter alia:

• review of metadata initiatives
• review of rights expression language development
• review of secure computing technologies and initiatives 
• interoperability
• copyright: fair dealing, private copying, and non-commercial use
• electronic payment systems
• consumer protection issues
• competition law
• international context

Contact:
Adrian Brazier
Telephone: +44  (0)20 7215 1295
E-mail: adrian.brazier@dti.gsi.gov.uk

EU Initiatives relevant to Digital Content and Publishing
EU initiatives of possible interest in the digital content and publishing areas include:

European Directive on re-use and exploitation of public sector information

The European Commission published a Directive on the re-use and commercial exploitation of public sector information on 1^st  January 2004, which set out a minimum level of harmonisation of the rules and administration across the European Union. The UK along with the other member states has 18 months to implement the Directive into a national legislation.

In September 2003, the Department of Trade and Industry and Her Majesty’s Stationery Office published a consultation paper on the implementation of the   Directive on the re-use of public sector information.   The consultation document was made widely available on web and sent to a number of key players in both the private and public sectors.  There were also a series of meetings and discussions with key players in the private and public sectors that assisted the consultation process. 

The aim of this consultation was to seek views on how the proposed Directive can be implemented in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The public consultation document and accompanying Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment can be downloaded as PDF from the download area of this site, noting that the consultation period ended on 4^th December 2003.  

There were 27 responses to the consultation paper. The summary of the responses to the consultation is now available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/industries/digital_content/
summary-responses280104.pdf

The text of the full responses can be viewed at the HMSO website:

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/copyright/policy/
ria_responses.htm

Contact:
Adrian Brazier
Telephone: +44  (0)20 7215 1295
E-mail: adrian.brazier@dti.gsi.gov.uk

eContent
eContent is a market-oriented programme, run by the European Commission, which aims to support the production, use and distribution of European digital content, and to promote linguistic and cultural diversity on the global networks.

The third call for project proposals was published in December 2002 and the Work Programme 2003/2004 is available together with other information about the programme on the eContent website www.cordis.lu/econtent

Contact:
Adrian Brazier
Telephone: +44  (0)20 7215 1295
E-mail: adrian.brazier@dti.gsi.gov.uk

eTEN
The eTEN programme helps bring new services and applications to the European market. The Trans-European Telecommunications networks programme could help companies launch new services based on communications networks. It can provide financial support at the planning stage or for the initial investment.

eTEN is aimed at:

• applications and services of public interest
• developing European market opportunities
• encouraging the development of an inclusive
  information society
• improving the competitiveness of European industry
• strengthening the internal European market
• improving European economic and social cohesion
• encouraging new activities leading to job creation

More information is available from the European Commission website.

Contact: Adrian Brazier
Telephone: +44  (0)20 7215 1295
E-mail: adrian.brazier@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Other EC support
The European Commission also funds Information Society Research and Development programmes. More information about these opportunities is available on the UKISHELP website www.ukishelp.co.uk.