A change to UK law would permit free use of images for non profit purposes, in my view this would open the floodgates for a free for all.
Heres the petition aginst the change...
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/copyrightreform/

I don't really know what to make of it all... is it really as destructive and underhand as it seems? I have to admit my first reaction was one of disbelief and slight rage... I'm with you that this might open the floodgates... anyway I signed up, and will sign off here before I start ranting...

how did you come across this info by the way? Haven't heard a jot about it until reading this post, but then I guess that's what they'd want isn't it.... really can't understand why this is solely being levelled at photographers.. (not that it would be in any way better if all the other media were included too!)

I picked this up from Aerial Pro forum where we have discussed the creeping way it would affect our way of earning a living. Currently the law is clear on copyright of images,this change would allow all sorts of excuses,like lifting images from the web for a charity publication.

do you have a link to the original documentation outlining the proposed changes?

Yes and it is worse than I thought,seems my policy of placing a copyright notice on my web posted images will continue,
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=870617

More background
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=870628

scary stuff... I've already mailed the petition to a number of friends and family members to spread the word.... also going to write to my local MP... this just isn't on.

I have no experience with petitions of this kind, what sort of numbers do you think it'll need to reach before the government takes notice? Seems to me even if it was 90% of the population the current administration would still find a way to force it through.... becoming more and more like 1984..... :-(