Hove MP to advise Prime Minister on intellectual property

The Conservative MP for Hove Mike Weatherley has been made an unofficial adviser to the Prime Minister.

As an unpaid adviser on intellectual property he will report to David Cameron and ministers, focusing on enforcement issues relating to the creative industries.

Mr Weatherley worked in intellectual property in the music and film sectors before his election to Parliament in 2010.

He was the vice president (Europe) for the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation and previously worked for the record producer Pete Waterman.

Since becoming an MP Mr Weatherley has tried to raise awareness of intellectual property rights among his parliamentary colleagues.

He runs a battle of the bands style competition called the Rock the House as a way of doing this.

He said: “I am honoured to be been appointed as the Prime Minister’s adviser on intellectual property.

“The creative industries are incredibly important to Britain’s economy so it is only right that the government focuses on enforcement issues.

“I look forward to working with the Prime Minster and my ministerial colleagues on addressing the challenges that face the film and music industries.”