UNIC Update Cinema Industry
11/02: European cinema exhibition sees further growth in 2016 – Celluloid Junkie
UNIC released its provisional update on admissions and box office revenues across Europe for 2016, which is the first wide-ranging assessment of the performance of the European cinema sector last year. The figures show a positive year for cinema operators in most European territories.
Digital Single Market
2/02: CJ + UNIC Cinema Innovation – Interview with VP European Commission Andrus Ansip and UKCA/UNIC’s Phil Clapp – Celluloid Junkie
Vice President of the European Commission and the current Commissioner for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip and Phil Clapp, Head of the UK Cinema Association and President of UNIC, share their thoughts on cinema and innovation in Europe.
6/02: “Opportunities as well as challenges” by MEP Therese Comodini Cachia (Malta, EPP) on the EU copyright reform – Parliament Magazine
‘A digital single market that works for the cultural and creative industries requires a copyright framework that ensures digital access to creative content as well as fair remuneration’ states MEP Therese Comodini Cachia.
6/02: "An opportunity for both consumers and creators" by MEP Marc Joulaud (France, EPP) – Parliament Magazine
‘Consumers and rights holders both need each other to thrive and make the best of the tremendous opportunities offered by the digital environment’ writes Marc Joulaud.
Portability
7/02: EU negotiators agree on new rules allowing Europeans to travel and enjoy online content services across borders – European Commission website
The rules will reflect new ways in which Europeans enjoy culture and entertainment services online when they travel around the EU.
Competition
2/02: Antitrust: Commission opens three investigations into suspected anticompetitive practices in e-commerce – European Commission website
The European Commission has launched three separate investigations to assess if certain online sales practices prevent, in breach of EU antitrust rules, consumers from enjoying cross-border choice and being able to buy consumer electronics, video games and hotel accommodation at competitive prices.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive
6/02: "A prudent approach" by co-rapporteur MEP Petra Kammerevert (Germany, S&D) – Parliament Magazine
‘Our aim is to come up with a legal text that preserves media diversity and freedom of expression, protects consumers and guarantees fair competition between media providers in the distribution of audiovisual media content’ writes Petra Kammerevert.
European Parliament
3/02: Priorities for Europe: EU leaders set objectives for 2017 – European Parliament website
In December, former Parliament President Martin Schulz, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Robert Fico, representing the rotating Council presidency, signed the first ever joint declaration setting out the EU’s objectives and top six priorities for 2017, one of which is the Digital Single Market.
Events
02/03: EUIPO Conference on Copyright Enforcement, Malta 16/03: European Audiovisual Observatory Advisory Committee Meeting, Strasbourg 15-16/06: Digital Assembly, Malta – more information here