Proposed Regulation on country-of-origin licensing of certain online services by broadcasters
2/05: Over 400 audiovisual sector leaders covering all 28 Member States have signed a letter urging the EU Institutions to “reject and abandon” a proposal that “undermines the entire audiovisual eco-system in Europe” – International Video Federation & CW!
The signatories, representing film and TV directors, screenwriters, performers and other creators, media workers, producers, distributors and publishers of film and television content, cinemas, commercial broadcasters, sports rights owners and collecting societies, are concerned that the proposed Regulation on country-of-origin licensing of certain online services by broadcasters threatens cultural diversity, growth and sustainable jobs for creative talent and skilled workers, as well as future investments in the audiovisual sector in Europe.
5/05: Hearing on copyright and the proposed Cab-Sat regulation – European Parliament website
On 4 May 2017, the Committee on Legal Affairs held a public hearing on the Commission's proposal for a Regulation laying down rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting organisations and re-transmissions of television and radio programmes.
Copyright
27/04: The sale of a multimedia player which enables films that are available illegally on the internet to be viewed easily and for free on a television screen could constitute an infringement of copyright – Press release by the Court of Justice of European Union
The Court also finds that temporary acts of reproduction, on that multimedia player, of a copyright protected work obtained by streaming on a website belonging to a third party offering that work without the consent of the copyright holder, cannot be exempted from the right of reproduction.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive
25/04: EPP Group wants European content quota and cut-offs for advertising on Netflix and Co – EPP website
"The usage behaviour has fundamentally changed. Nearly one quarter of internet users stream music or films on the internet. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that we adapt the rules for traditional television to the internet to bring the media world into the 21st century", said Sabine Verheyen MEP, the EPP Group's Rapporteur of the revision of the Audiovisual Media Directive (AVMD)
25/04: Media services: European content quota of 30% for on-demand platforms – European Parliament website
To reflect Europe’s cultural diversity, MEPs called for a 30% quota of European works in on-demand platform catalogues, instead of the 20% proposed by the EU Commission. This quote should include works in the languages of the countries where they are distributed.
25/04: S&Ds prioritise consumer protection and fair competition in the distribution of audiovisual media content – S&D website
“We are proud that the legal text adopted preserves media diversity and freedom of expression, protects consumers and guarantees fair competition between media providers in the distribution of audiovisual media content, regardless of the way in which these contents are distributed. This has been our primary objective.” stated Petra Kammervert MEP, S&D chair of the committee on culture and education.
Geo-Blocking
25/04: E-commerce: ending "unjustified" geo-blocking across the EU – European Parliament website
The draft law defines specific situations in which geo-blocking will not be allowed. This means that online sellers will not be able to discriminate against consumers elsewhere in the EU with regard to general terms and conditions, including prices, on the basis of their nationality, place of residence or even their temporary location, MEPs added.
25/04: Parliament votes to put an end to geo-blocking of online goods or services – S&D website
The European Parliament’s internal market and consumer protection committee voted in favour of new rules that would prevent geo-blocking of online content in the EU. This means that companies will no longer be able to stop consumers accessing or purchasing from their website just because they are in a different EU member state.
25/04: Digital Single Market: geo-blocking should not obstruct cross-border trade – EPP website
The EPP Group is in favour of limiting geo-blocking so that consumers can download music from applications, play their favourite video games or read e-books, regardless of in which country they purchased their subscriptions.
EVENTS:
- 10/05: Commission's mid-term review of the Digital Single Market Strategy 15/05: Vote in plenary Audiovisual Media Services Directive
- 16/05: Vote in plenary Portability Regulation 20/05: European Audiovisual Observatory Conference, Cannes – more information here
- 21/05: Europa Cinemas Conference, Cannes 22/05: European Film Forum, Cannes
- 15-16/06: Digital Assembly, Malta – more information here
