Other News

Copying from Newspapers

With the exception of single copies for research or private study the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 makes it unlawful to make copies from newspapers unless a licence is obtained from the copyright holder. The act provides both civil and criminal remedies for this offence.

The Newspaper Licensing Agency Limited (NLA) was set up so that all companies could make copies of newspaper cuttings for internal management purposes by obtaining a licence. No one could believe that this is the most exciting topic in the world although the possibility of appearing in Court is not one I would relish. Contact David Monk at FMCEC for further details.

Error in Last Edition of "Newsline"

In the May edition of "Newsline" we gave the incorrect telephone number for the Information Society Initiative, it should have been 0345 15 2000.

The Small Business Service

The DTI have launched a public consultation on its plans for a new Small Business Service in England. The objectives are

· To create an organisation to act as the voice for small business.
· Improve the quality and coherence of Government support for small businesses
· To deal with small companies interests in relation to regulations.

Their watchword will be to think small first when considering regulations. Small in this context applies to companies that employ up to 250 people. Significantly the Small Business Service will control the Enterprise Fund of £180m and will take responsibility for the development of local Business Links.

Copies of the consultation document can be obtained from the DTI Publications Orderline Tel. 0870 150 2500, fax. 0870 150 2333, web site http://www.dti.gov.uk/sbs/consult

Views on the new proposals would be welcomed before 30 September 1999.

The comments should be sent to: Michael Ridley, Enterprise Unit, Room 525, Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET Tel: 0171 215 0187 Fax: 0171 215 5413. e-mail ilsmallbusiness.consultation@cudv.dti.gov.uk

It is intended to publish all the responses to these proposals. If you wish your contribution to be confidential then please mark your document accordingly. It is expected that the Government will announce its response to the consultation in the autumn, together with the appointment of a Small Business Service Chief Executive.

Many members of FMCEC employ less than 250 so please keep us advised if you are looking for a lobbying voice.

Interested in Sourcing From Lithuania?

Such is the world-wide reputation of FMCEC we have been asked by a private enterprise Lithuanian manufacturer whether any members would be interested in their capabilities.
AB MECHANICKA with 200 employees and 15,000m² of production area established in 1966 is the only company in Lithuania holding a licence for crane design, production, repair and maintenance. However, they also produce winches, electrical and hand telphers, and welded metal items.
Any member wishing to know more should contact the Director Pranas Milašius at Mechanika - Liejyklos la, LT-5409, Šiauliai, Lithuania Tel: 00 370 1 540465 Fax: 00 370 1 540495 e-mail: abmechanika@siauliai.omnitel.net.
We would appreciate feedback from members who contact Mechanika so that we know whether it was worth drawing to your attention!

Development Business Team

The Development Business Team is part of British Trade International and was launched last year to raise awareness of business opportunities through the programmes of the multilateral aid-funding agencies. The website www.dti.gov.uk/ots/dbt contains guidance on working with major agencies such as the World Bank, EC, UN and also lists forthcoming events with links across to a variety of related sites.

For further information contact Sharon Wardle, Deputy Head Development Business Team, Room 141, Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6SW Tel: 0171 215 4624 Fax: 0171 215 4535 e-mail: Sharon.Wardle@lond04.dti.gov.uk

FMCEC PUBLICATIONS

The following FMCEC publications are available:

Business Tracker CD ROM £15.00 + VAT to non-members, free to Members

Past copies of "Newsline" FOC if available

Product Guide FOC

Exporting and the Internet £10.00 + VAT

Opportunities in Turkey Report of a visit November 1998- £20.00 + VAT

Draft Distributor Agreement £30.00 + VAT to non-members £15.00 +VAT to FMCEC and EPI 2000 members.

Tell As It Is

Why is it that civil engineers, equipment designers, architects, translators, technical writers and other academically brilliant professionals submitting a technical paper to conference or an article for publication so often fall short in lucid presentation of their subject? Too frequently it is the case that their professional skills are not matched by their communicative capabilities.

We recently attended a major conference, which had attracted engineers from all parts of the globe where most of the prepared papers were of an outstandingly high order and the content of almost every paper was undeniably of significant value. But regrettably, as so often happens, sometimes the impact of a presented paper was diminished by the author's inability to draft his presentation in such a way that not a word was wasted and that the order of presentation enhanced comprehension. Of course there are always limiting factors that restrain presentation. In a symposium or conference, the time allocated for each speaker must be strictly enforced by the Chair in order that full benefit may be obtained from the ensuing forum of questions and answers, whereas a work prepared for publication in any form is usually subject to space availability.

Therefore it becomes of paramount importance that authors should totally be conscious of their mode of presentation and syntax. It begs the question "Why do authors themselves not seek professional literary help?" They would not expect a journalist or experienced copywriter to design and construct a bridge, a tunnel, or a multi-storied structure of any consequence, so why should they assume that a designer can best define and describe the parameters of a piece of mechanical equipment or a civil engineering project in such a way as to be fully understood and appreciated by others?

It was well said, "Let the cobbler stick to his last". Good, experienced technical writers are few and far between but among them is Sandy Mead whose experience embraced editorship of three leading technical journals, Contractors Record, World Construction and Construction & Building Materials as well as authorship of the textbook Construction & Plant Hire and many conference papers. Currently working alongside Sandy Mead is Donald Smart, known in the construction equipment industry and for his work with the Federation in the preparation of publicity documents and technical lists. Translations from the native to the English language should thoroughly be checked before final printing and anyone faced with the daunting task of preparing a work for conference presentation, or any form of technical literature, would be well recommended to approach these two professional writers.

Sandy Mead is available on 01798 812871 (Tel & Fax) or e-mail at haroldmead@compuserve.com . Donald Smart can be reached on 01299 402299 (Tel & Fax).