WIREDGOV

The European Committee of the Regions has given its backing to the European Commission's proposal to modernise copyright rules in the EU. The opinion adopted unanimously in the plenary session on Friday stresses, however, that removing unjustified geo-blocking must not lead to the abolition of the principle of territoriality of copyright, as that could undermine national, regional and local cultural diversity in Europe and harm Europe's creative industries.

The opinion drafted by Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP) supports the portability of online content services, which would enable users who have purchased online content or taken out a subscription in their country of origin to access them when they are temporarily present in another Member State. Nevertheless, the Committee calls on to ensure that this does not lead to abuses, while securing both adequate flexibility for consumers and the same degree of respect for the creative and commercial value of the content.

"Right holders need to be sure that portability covers only the most common examples of travel for business, tourism or study purposes, without resulting in the permanent availability of content protected at EU level", says rapporteur Abramavičius, member of Zarasai District Municipal Council. Therefore the opinion requests services providers to verify the Member State of residence of their subscribers.

The Committee is receptive to the proposal for a licensing agreement that allows cross-border access to content. It also supports EU action to ensure efficient and transparent distribution of levies among right holders, suggesting that new technological solutions could be helpful for this purpose, and considers that more contractual guarantees are needed to protect authors from market imbalances.

The opinion also welcomes the proposed measures concerning the internal market for e-communications designed to promote dynamic and sustainable growth in all economic sectors and to create jobs, as well as to ensure that copyright rules are modernised in light of the digital revolution and changes in consumer behaviour.

"In the long term, we should proceed towards greater convergence between national copyright systems and aim to harmonise the legal framework for the remuneration of authors, creators and artists", Mr Abramavičius concludes.

• High-resolution photos from the CoR plenary session

Contact:
Lauri Ouvinen
Tel. +32 22822063
lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu