FNE and UNIC Present EU Cinema Policy News
FNE has teamed up with the Brussels based team of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) to bring you regular updates on EU cinema policies that impact all industry professionals across Europe.
Each two weeks the UNIC team of experts will update FNE readers with a selection of information on the most important developments in cinema policy in the areas of the Digital Single Market, copyright, new research on audience development, policy meetings and events and other vital information that the leaders of the European cinema need to keep abreast of to do their jobs.
These are issues that have an impact on all of us and will determine the future direction of our industry and indeed even its survival.
UNIC policy update 16/07/2021
COVID – 19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
29/06: Commission proposes coordinated measures for the safe reopening of the cultural and creative sectors – European Commission
The Commission published EU guidelines to ensure the safe resumption of activities in the cultural and creative sectors across the EU. At a time when the epidemiological situation is improving and vaccination campaigns are speeding up, Member States are gradually reopening cultural venues and activities.
29/06: Speech of Commissioner Gabriel at the press conference on the safe reopening of the cultural and cultural sectors – European Commission
COVID-19: EU response
07/07: Summer 2021 Economic Forecast: Reopening fuels recovery – European Commission
The European economy is forecast to rebound faster than previously expected, as activity in the first quarter of the year exceeded expectations and the improved health situation prompted a swifter easing of pandemic control restrictions in the second quarter.
07/07: Are we there yet? Foresight study on the exit from the COVID 19 crisis – European Commission
At the height of Europe’s pandemic crisis, in the summer of 2020, a foresight study engaged expert communities in medicine, public health and socio-economic conditions in an effort to anticipate the pace of Europe’s exit from the crisis, by anticipating medical advances, the implications of the pandemic experience for Europe’s public health systems, and the socio-economic conditions in Europe in 2023.
28/06: NextGenerationEU: Commission carries out €800 million of first payments to foster crisis repair and resilience – European Commission
The Commission has disbursed €800 million in payments under NextGenerationEU, the temporary instrument to finance Europe's recovery and foster a greener, more digital and resilient economy after the pandemic.
EU Digital COVID Certificate
08/07: EU Digital COVID Certificate: Commission adopts equivalence decision for Swiss certificates – European Commission
01/07: EU Digital COVID Certificate enters into application in the EU – European Commission
The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation enters into application. This means that EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU.
Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act
29/06: Intermediary services should “earn their liability exemptions” - UNIC
In order for the Digital Services Act (DSA) to achieve a safe and more trustworthy online environment, companies that do not comply with the DSA’s due diligence obligations should not be entitled to the DSA’s liability exemptions.
Media and AV Action Plan
29/06: Media Action Plan: The power of local – The Parliament Magazine
A strong and independent local media is essential to the democratic process, but this is in danger of withering away. The EU must ensure it gets the support it needs, argues Jan Trei.
Territorial exclusivity
06/07: Strong message from MEPs on importance of territorial exclusivity - UNIC
UNIC welcomes MEP Verheyen's initiative to organise a statement where 54 MEPs - from various political groups - stressed the importance of territorial licensing for cultural diversity in the European audiovisual sector and call on their colleagues to not undermine territorial exclusivity in unrelated European Parliament reports.
Cannes Film Festival
06/07: Cannes Film Festival 2021: 17 EU-supported films compete for awards – European Commission
The 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 July. Seventeen films supported by Creative Europe MEDIA have been selected in various sections of the Cannes Film Festival and its parallel competitions.
Gender diversity
09/07: Commission launches ‘CharactHer’, a campaign supporting diversity and inclusion in the film and media industries – European Commission
The European Commission has launched an awareness campaign aiming at fostering gender diversity and inclusion in the film and news media industries.
Slovenian Presidency of the EU
06/07: The Slovenian Presidency of the EU presents its policy priorities in CULT committee – CULT Committee
Slovenian ministers Ms Simona Kustec, Minister for education, youth and sport and Mr Vasko Simoniti, Minister for culture, came to the CULT Committee for a presentation and an exchange of views over the policy priorities of the incoming Presidency.
Events
4 – 7 October: CineEurope 2021
4 - 5 October: Slovenian Presidency conference
Recent studies
EAO - Diversity and inclusion in the European audiovisual sector - July 2021
UNIC policy update 01/07/2021
COVID – 19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
18/06: The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU – CULT Committee
During its meeting on 27 May the Committee held an exchange of views on the own initiative report on The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (Rapporteur Monica Semedo, Renew) in the presence of invited experts from Culture Action Europe.
COVID-19: EU response
25/06: Commission welcomes the adoption of €373 billion Cohesion policy legislative package 2021-2027 – European Commission
The European Commission welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the political agreements on the Cohesion policy legislative package 2021-2027 of €373 billion and its signature by both co-legislators. This marks the final step of the legislative procedure and allows for an entry into force of the Cohesion legislation on 1 July.
16/06: NextGenerationEU: Questions and answers on the Recovery and Resilience Facility – European Commission
Member States prepare recovery and resilience plans that set out a coherent package of reforms and investment initiatives to be implemented up to 2026 and supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
EU Digital COVID Certificate
14/06: COVID-19: Council updates recommendation on free movement restrictions – Council of the EU
The Council adopted a recommendation amending the recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive
22/06: CJEU rules on platform liability under copyright law, safe harbours, and injunctions – The IPKat
Do platforms like YouTube and cyberlocker Uploaded directly perform copyright-restricted acts under Article 3 of the InfoSoc Directive? At what conditions is the hosting safe harbour under Article 14(1) of the Ecommerce Directive available? What may be the requirements for injunctions under Article 8(3) of the InfoSoc Directive?
Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act
21/06: Digital Services Act & Digital Markets Act: discussion on draft reports and public hearing – IMCO Committee
Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee held its first discussion on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act draft reports, followed by a public hearing.
Media and AV Action Plan
18/06: Recovery and future transformation of Europe’s media and audio-visual sectors – CULT Committee
During its committee meeting on the 27 May, the CULT Committee held an exchange of views on an own-initiative report (INI) recommending ways towards recovery and deep transformation of the media and audio-visual sectors in Europe. During the exchange of views following the presentation of the draft report, questions were put forward to experts who prepared an accompanying research commissioned by Policy Department B at the European Parliament.
Intellectual Property
18/06: Council adopts conclusions on role of Intellectual Property in tackling Covid-19 pandemic – Council of the EU
The Council approved conclusions on Intellectual Property (IP) policy. With these conclusions, ministers recall that IP is a major driver for innovation, competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development, and a key enabler for knowledge and tech-transfer.
Competition
22/06: Antitrust: Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by Google in the online advertising technology sector – European Commission
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Google has violated EU competition rules by favouring its own online display advertising technology services in the so called “ad tech” supply chain, to the detriment of competing providers of advertising technology services, advertisers and online publishers.
Events
1 July: Slovenian Presidency
1 July: Joint IPKat-BLACA-IFIM live webinar on CJEU YouTube/Cyando judgment
12 – 13 July: IMCO Committee meeting
13 July: European Audiovisual Observatory Cannes conference “A year under COVID: accelerating the production shift from cinema to sofa?”
4 – 7 October: CineEurope 2021
UNIC policy update 18/06/2021
COVID-19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
03/06: The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU – CULT Committee
During its meeting on 27 May the Committee held an exchange of views on the own initiative report on The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (Rapporteur Monica Semedo, Renew) in the presence of invited experts from Culture Action Europe.
01/06: Commission's Guarantee Facility supports the cultural and creative sectors with €200M investment - EIF
Triodos Bank to extend support for cultural and creative sectors with EU backing.
COVID-19: EU response
10/06: National recovery plans: historic opportunity for long-term sustainable growth – European Parliament
The resolution on the ongoing evaluation of the national recovery plans submitted so far by EU member states was adopted. MEPs called on the Commission to only approve plans that fully meet the targets and goals agreed in the RRF regulation and to not bow to any political pressure.
08/06: EU budget 2022: Speeding up Europe's recovery and progressing towards a green, digital and resilient future – European Commission
The Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €167.8 billion for 2022, to be complemented by an estimated €143.5 billion in grants under NextGenerationEU. Their combined firepower will mobilise significant investments to boost the economic recovery, safeguard sustainability, and create jobs.
08/06: Press remarks by Commissioner Hahn on the draft annual EU budget for 2022 and on EU budget performance reporting – European Commission
EU Digital COVID Certificate
09/06: Parliament gives its final green light to the EU Digital COVID Certificate – European Parliament
MEPs completed the legislative work on the EU digital COVID Certificate package to facilitate travel within the EU and contribute to the economic recovery.
Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive
14/06: Turning words into actions for European culture and authors – SAA Authors
The pandemic crisis is best described as unpredictable. Its waves of COVID-19 infections left us insecure about the future. However, following the roll-out of vaccination, we can finally start to plan ahead. On the EU level, institutions are working on initiatives that could contribute to a more hopeful future for the cultural and creative sectors.
04/06: New EU copyright rules that will benefit creators, businesses and consumers start to apply – European Commission
Monday 7 June marked the deadline for Member States to transpose the new EU copyright rules into national law. The new Copyright Directive protects creativity in the digital age, bringing concrete benefits to citizens, the creative sectors, the press, researchers, educators and cultural heritage institutions across the EU.
Media and Audiovisual Action Plan
/06: Council of the EU: Conclusions to support the recovery and transformation of the European media, cultural and creative sectors – EAO Newsletter
On 18 May 2021, the Council of the European Union approved conclusions to support the recovery and transformation of the European media sector. The conclusions respond to the Action Plan presented by the Commission on 3 December 2020.
04/06: Recovery and future transformation of Europe’s media and audio-visual sectors – CULT Committee
During its committee meeting on the 27 May, the CULT Committee held an exchange of views on an own-initiative report (INI) recommending ways towards recovery and deep transformation of the media and audio-visual sectors in Europe. During the exchange of views following the presentation of the draft report, questions were put forward to experts who prepared an accompanying research commissioned by Policy Department B at the European Parliament.
Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act
28/05: The DSA and DMA - a forward-looking and consumer-centered: workshop – IMCO Committee
On 26 May, IMCO held a workshop on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). The discussions of the workshop aim to feed into the DSA and the DMA reports of the IMCO committee, setting out the Parliament’s political response.
LUX Audience Award 2021
09/06: LUX Audience Award 2021 goes to Collective – European Parliament
President David Sassoli awarded the 2021 LUX Audience Award to Collective during a ceremony in Strasbourg.
Events:
21 – 22 June: CULT Committee meeting
24 – 25 June: European Council
28 June: Recovery Summit
1 July: Slovenian Presidency
1 July: Joint IPKat-BLACA-IFIM live webinar on CJEU YouTube/Cyando judgment
13 July: European Audiovisual Observatory Cannes conference “A year under COVID: accelerating the production shift from cinema to sofa?”
4 – 7 October: CineEurope 2021
UNIC policy update 03/06/2021
COVID-19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
25/05: Start together again from legality to support the film and AV industry - FAPAV
Federation for the Protection of Audiovisual and Multimedia Content (FAPAV) has announced a communication initiative entitled "WE ARE STORIES" and entirely dedicated to the public of all ages to promote the protection of the audiovisual industry.
25/05: The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU – CULT Committee
During its meeting on 27 May the Committee held an exchange of views on the own initiative report on The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (Rapporteur Monica Semedo, Renew) in the presence of invited experts from Culture Action Europe.
COVID-19: EU response
26/05: Q&A on the EU Digital Covid Certificate – European Parliament
22/05: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis at the ECOFIN press conference – European Commission
22/05: EU Economy and Finance Ministers discuss the road to recovery – 2021 Portugal
The turning point from the pandemic crisis to the economic recovery was the topic of the meeting of EU Economy and Finance Ministers, who gathered in Lisbon for the informal ECOFIN meeting organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
21/05: COVID-19: Coreper endorses political agreement on the EU digital COVID certificate to facilitate free movement – Council of the EU
The Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) today gave its unanimous support to the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on 20 May on the EU digital COVID certificate.
21/05: Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup meeting of 21 May 2021 – Council of the EU
Media and Audiovisual Action Plan
27/05: Consensus on supporting the AV & film sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in Parliament – FIAD
MEPs recalled the importance of supporting the European film and audiovisual sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, in a debate on the Report Media & Audiovisual Action Plan, under the responsibility of rapporteur Dace Melbarde (ECR, LV).
21/05: Council conclusions on ʻEurope’s Media in the Digital Decade: An Action Plan to Support Recovery and Transformation’ & Creative Europe – UNIC
The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council took place on 17-18 May 2021 and adopted its conclusions on ʻEurope’s Media in the Digital Decade: An Action Plan to Support Recovery and Transformation’.
18/05: Council conclusions: Recovery and transformation of Europe’s media – Council of the EU
The Council has approved conclusions to support the recovery and transformation of the European media sector.
Creative Europe MEDIA
26/05: Creative Europe: Over €2 billion to support the recovery, resilience and diversity of cultural and creative sectors – European Commission
The Commission has today launched new actions to support the cultural and creative sectors in Europe and beyond, following the adoption of the work programme for the first year of the Creative Europe 2021-2027 programme.
20/05: EU boost for culture – European Parliament
MEPs have approved the biggest ever budget for the EU's culture and creative sectors - €2.5 billion for 2021-2027.
Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act
26/05: Joint Position on the proposed EU Digital Services Act – UNIC
The European Commission’s proposal is a good start, but it leaves some critical gaps. Closing these gaps is the only way to ensure that the DSA achieves its stated policy goals, including providing a future proof and resilient legislative framework.
25/05: European Media encourages swift adoption of Digital Markets Act with targeted improvements & a clear focus on gatekeepers – ACT
Europe’s media sector, represented by the undersigned organisations, welcomes the Commission’s proposal on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as a much needed and urgent step towards establishing a fair, balanced and contestable digital market.
Czech Republic
28/05: State aid: Commission approves €7.9 million Czech scheme to support workers and companies in audiovisual sector in context of coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The public support will take the form of direct grants. The amount of aid will be calculated on the basis of lost income, as well as costs borne by producers and distributors that cannot be recouped. The purpose of the measures is to mitigate the impact on the beneficiaries of the restrictive measures that the Czech government had to impose to limit the spread of coronavirus, and to help them resume their activities after the outbreak.
Estonia
27/05: State aid: Commission approves €5.3 million Estonian scheme to support film producers and distributors and cinemas in the context of the coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission has approved an Estonian scheme to support film producers and distributors, as well as cinemas affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Recent Studies
EAO - Key trends in the European audiovisual sector: all the key figures to imagine the post-COVID world - May 2021
Events:
3 June: JURI Committee meeting
3 June: “A decade of Netflix in Europe: Lessons from a small media market” conference
3 – 4 June: Europeana Conference “Towards recovery: digital capacity building in the Cultural Heritage sector”
4 June: Deadline for amendments on the MAAP report in the Culture committee
7 – 10 June: European Parliament Plenary
1 July: Joint IPKat-BLACA-IFIM live webinar on CJEU YouTube/Cyando judgment
13 July: European Audiovisual Observatory Cannes conference “A year under COVID: accelerating the production shift from cinema to sofa?”
UNIC policy update 18/05/2021
COVID-19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
10/05: Culture and Education committee backs new Erasmus+, Creative Europe and Solidarity Corps programmes – European Parliament
Culture and Education MEPs adopted its recommendation for European Parliament to back the 2021-2027 editions of Erasmus+, Creative Europe and European Solidarity Corps.
06/05: Music streaming and its impact on composers and songwriters. Why we should fix streaming now - European Composer and Songwriter Alliance
ECSA call both policy makers and all stakeholders in the music sector to promote a fairer and more transparent ecosystem for music streaming, which could finally benefit music creators, who are at the origin of all musical creations.
COVID-19: EU response
12/05: Spring 2021 Economic Forecast: Rolling up sleeves – European Commission
The Spring 2021 Economic Forecast projects that the EU economy will expand by 4.2% in 2021 and by 4.4% in 2022. The euro area economy is forecast to grow by 4.3% this year and 4.4% next year.
11/05: Next Generation EU: An opportunity in a crisis – The Parliament Magazine
The EU recovery fund presents the ideal chance to create a more social and sustainable Europe in the future; let’s seize it, writes Dennis Radtke.
05/05: Q&A on the EU COVID-19 certificate – European Parliament
04/05: EU recovery plans must address gaps that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed – The Parliament Magazine
More than strategies, we need actions to help EU industry regain its competitiveness, argues the EESC’s Stefano Mallia.
Antitrust
/05: European Commission: 2019 Commitment Decision involving major film studios and Sky UK withdrawn – EAO Newsletter
On 31 March 2021, the European Commission withdrew an important 2019 Commitment Decision which had made commitments binding a number of well-known film studios and the broadcaster Sky UK to address the Commission’s concerns regarding clauses in the studios' licensing contracts for pay-TV with Sky UK.
Digital tax
12/05: Statement by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager following today's Court judgments on the Amazon and Engie tax State aid cases in Luxembourg – European Commission
European LUX Award
12/05: LUX audience week: opportunity to watch and vote for films online – European Parliament
During the LUX Audience Week audiences across Europe are offered to watch the nominated films for the LUX Audience Award 2021 online for free on the LUX virtual cinema.
Czech Republic
10/05: State aid: Commission approves €1.9 billion Czech scheme to support companies in context of coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission has approved an approximately € 1.9 billion (CZK 50 billion) Czech scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework.
Events:
17 – 20 May: European Parliament Plenary
17 – 18 May: Consilium meeting of culture ministers – adoption of the conclusions on the Media and AV Action Plan
21 May: Eurogroup meeting
21 – 22 May: ECOFIN Meeting
26 May: EU Copyright Law: State of Play and Future Directions – Conference
26 May: European Parliament conference on the reopening of culture
26 May: IMCO Committee
26 – 27 May: JURI Committee
27 May: CULT Committee – presentation of the MAAP draft report
2 June: SAA Expert Seminar on the Copyright directive, Article 18
4 June: Deadline for amendments on the MAAP report in the Culture committee
1 July: Joint IPKat-BLACA-IFIM live webinar on CJEU YouTube/Cyando judgment
UNIC policy update 06/05/2021
COVID-19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
30/04: Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance – The Parliament Magazine
Warning comes in letter to European Commission from organisations representing culture sector, including organisers of large-scale live events.
23/04: Last push for dedicated amount to the cultural and creative industries in the Recovery and Resilience National Plans – UNIC
Europe needs a new #CulturalDealEU, a transversal, overarching framework to demonstrate the EU’s political commitment to place culture at the heart of the European project.
COVID-19: EU response
03/05: Recovery and Resilience Facility: Poland submits official recovery and resilience plan – European Commission
01/05: Recovery and Resilience Facility: Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia submit official recovery and resilience plans – European Commission
30/04: Recovery and Resilience Facility: Denmark, Spain, Latvia and Luxembourg submit official recovery and resilience plans – European Commission
29/04: EU COVID-19 certificate must facilitate free movement without discrimination – European Parliament
Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the proposal for a certificate to reaffirm the right to free movement in Europe during the pandemic.
29/04: Commission publishes analysis to highlight the quality of public administration as key success factor towards COVID-19 recovery and the green and digital transitions – European Commission
The Commission has adopted its Staff Working Document “SUPPORTING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONS IN EU MEMBER STATES TO DELIVER REFORMS AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE”; it elaborates on the importance of public administrations for meeting EU’s objectives and on the Commission’s experience in helping them boost their performance and capabilities.
23/04: Council reaffirms Team Europe's commitment to the global fight against the pandemic – Council of the EU
The Council approved conclusions reaffirming Team Europe's full commitment to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its health, social, economic, humanitarian, security and political impacts.
Antitrust
30/04: Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Apple on App Store rules for music streaming providers – European Commission
The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it distorted competition in the music streaming market as it abused its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store. The Commission takes issue with the mandatory use of Apple's own in-app purchase mechanism imposed on music streaming app developers to distribute their apps via Apple's App Store.
Digital tax
29/04: MEPs lay out plans for a fairer tax system fit for the digital age – European Parliament
Outdated international tax rules need to be overhauled, including a minimum effective corporate tax rate; the EU should go it alone if global negotiations fail.
European Parliament
29/04: EP group leaders’ statement on the Conference on the Future of Europe – European Parliament
The Conference of Presidents recalls the importance of an adequate composition and role for the plenary of the Conference.
Hungary
30/04: Hungarian Cinemas Reopen for Immunity Certificate Holders – Film New Europe
A wide range of services will reopen in Hungary, including cinemas, when the number of vaccinated people reaches 4 million, which is expected to be reached on 30 April 2021.
Slovenia
29/04: Slovenian Cinemas Choose Not to Reopen Under New COVID Restrictions – Film New Europe
Slovenian cinemas refused to re-open after a recent decision of the Government to ease restrictions only till 2 May 2021. The only exception is Kinodvor, which re-opened on 26 April 2021.
Events
5 - 6 May: Presidency Conference on Culture, Cohesion and Social Impact
10 May: CULT meeting
10 – 11 May: JURI meeting
17 – 20 May: European Parliament Plenary
17 – 18 May: Consilium meeting of culture ministers
26 May: EU Copyright Law: State of Play and Future Directions – Conference
May 2021: Porto Social Summit
UNIC policy update 13/04/2021
COVID-19: EU response
9/04: COVID-19: Council approves additional funding from the EU budget – Council of the EU
The Council today approved additional funding from the EU budget, amounting to €121.5 million, to address urgent needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6/04: EU Cohesion policy: first REACT-EU support measures for recovery and transition approved for the Netherlands and Austria – European Commission
The Commission approved the first decisions under REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe) involving a modification of four operational programmes for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Netherlands and Austria that will increase the funding available for investments by nearly €262 million from REACT-EU. The Netherlands and Austria thus become the first EU countries to make use of REACT-EU.
6/04: Estonian and Lithuanian micro-enterprises to receive European support with Finora Capital – European Commission
More support will become available for micro-enterprises in Estonia and Lithuania that are facing the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. A new transaction between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and financial intermediary Finora Capital is expected to support at least 100 micro borrowers in these two countries.
30/03: Commission disburses further €13 billion under SURE to six Member States – European Commission
The European Commission has disbursed €13 billion to six EU Member States in the sixth instalment of financial support under the SURE instrument. This is the third disbursement in 2021. As part of today's operations, Czechia has received €1 billion, Belgium €2.2 billion, Spain €4.06 billion, Ireland €2.47 billion, Italy €1.87 billion and Poland €1.4 billion.
30/03: SURE: Commission proposes additional €3.7 billion to six Member States to protect jobs and incomes – European Commission
The proposals follow formal requests for additional financial assistance under SURE submitted by Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta on top of the support that the Council has already approved.
Streaming platforms
12/04: European Producers Club Issues Code of Fair Practices for VOD Services – Film New Europe
The Paris-based European Producers Club (EPC) has issued a Code of Fair Practices for VOD services, aiming at establishing basic parameters to be applied to VOD Services’ contracts when commissioning feature films, TV series and other audiovisual works from independent production companies.
Antitrust
31/03: Antitrust: Commission withdraws 2019 decision making commitments binding on Disney, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and Sky UK and closes proceedings – European Commission
European Commission
9/04: Commission opens first European Innovation Council calls worth €1 billion – European Commission
The funding worth over €1 billion aims to help scale up start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses that have the potential to achieve high impact. While over half of the funding is open to breakthrough innovations in any field, €495 million are earmarked for innovations that support the European Green Deal as well as digital and health technologies.
Events
12 -15 April: EP Committees meetings (LIBE, JURI, IMCO)
16 April: Informal video conference of Economic and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN)
16 April: Eurogroup meeting
19 April: CULT meeting
22 April: EAO Webinar: Gatekeepers in the DSA Package: What about VoD?
26 – 29 April: European Parliament Plenary
26 May: EU Copyright Law: State of Play and Future Directions – Conference
May 2021: Porto Social Summit
UNIC policy update 31/03/2021
COVID – 19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
19/03: Include Culture in Your National Recovery Strategies and Reactivate Cultural Life - UNIC
Following the open letter published by 110+ pan-European networks on 30 October 2020 “Make culture central in the EU recovery”, the group comes together again to reiterate their call to the national governments and the European Commission.
COVID-19: EU response
25/03: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel, following the videoconference of the members of the European Council – European Commission
25/03: Post-pandemic Europe: High-level expert group advises to learn from innovation and boost key ecosystems – European Commission
In their second Policy Brief ‘Transformation post-COVID: Mobilising Innovation for People, Planet and Prosperity’, the independent ESIR expert group proposes a ‘protect-prepare-transform’ design approach that focusses on applying key learnings from the pandemic and ensuring transitions that are just and that embody the European Commission’s new social, green, and digital pathways for an innovative and resilient post-pandemic Europe.
25/03: MEPs clear another hurdle for the COVID-19 recovery plan – European Parliament
MEPs approved three laws on implementing the EU’s Own Resources system, paving the way for its reform and the introduction of new sources of EU revenue.
25/03: Statement of the members of the European Council – Council of the EU
Following the informal video conference on 25 March 2021, the members of the European Council adopted a statement on COVID-19, single market, industrial policy, digital and the economy, the Eastern Mediterranean and Russia.
16/03: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the informal ECOFIN press conference – European Commission
16/03: Commission disburses further €9 billion under SURE to seven Member States – European Commission
The European Commission has disbursed today €9 billion to seven EU Member States in the fifth instalment of financial support to Member States under the SURE instrument. This is the second disbursement in 2021. As part of today's operations, Czechia has received €1 billion, Spain €2.87 billion, Croatia €510 million, Italy €3.87 billion, Lithuania €302 million, Malta €123 million and Slovakia €330 million.
Council of the EU
25/03: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the video conference of the members of the European Council of 25 March 2021 – Council of the EU
Estonia
25/03: Estonian Government Supports Cultural Sector With 42 m EUR – Film New Europe
The Estonian government has announced a 42 m EUR support package for the struggling cultural sector. The film sector will receive 5.3 m EUR, of which 3.3 million EUR is earmarked for cinemas and film distributors. The remaining 2 m EUR goes to film productions.
Latvia
17/03: Commission approves €3 million Latvian scheme to support cultural institutions affected by coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The aim of the scheme is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these companies are facing due to the restrictive measures implemented by the Latvian government to limit the spread of the virus. The support will take the form of direct grants. The measure is open to companies active in the country's cultural sector.
Events
31 March: Virtual Talk "Capital Markets Union: Financing the post-Covid recovery"
26 May: EU Copyright Law: State of Play and Future Directions – Conference
May 2021: Porto Social Summit
UNIC policy update 17/03/2021
International Union of Cinemas (UNIC)
08/03: UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme: Call for applications open - UNIC
UNIC is delighted to announce that the call for applications for the 5th edition of the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme is now open.
COVID-19: EU response
10/03: European Commission raises further €9 billion under SURE via second issuance in 2021 – European Commission
The European Commission has issued a €9 billion single tranche bond due in June 2036 under its EU SURE programme to protect jobs and workers, and to mitigate the severely negative socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
09/03: Parliament adopts InvestEU programme for strategic and innovative investments – European Parliament
MEPs adopted the new InvestEU programme, which will mobilise public and private investments and guarantees simplified access to financing.
09/03: Commission welcomes European Parliament's approval of InvestEU – European Commission
The European Commission welcomes the European Parliament's vote, confirming the political agreement on InvestEU reached in December 2020.
03/03: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis on the updated approach to the fiscal policy response to the coronavirus pandemic – European Commission
01/03: Senior MEP voices concern over role EU regions will play in Coronavirus recovery plan – The Parliament Magazine
Specifically, Ferber, a German member, accuses EU Member States of failing to comply with the Parliament’s demand that cities and regions are fully consulted about the way the flagship plan is put into practice at local level.
Digital tax
10/03: Better cooperation between national authorities on taxation of digital trading – European Parliament
MEPs recommended changes to draft legislation aiming to trace and tax the sales that people make through online platforms more effectively.
Poland
11/03: State aid: Commission approves €1.1 billion Polish scheme to further support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion (PLN 5 billion) Polish scheme to support companies in various sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Events:
17 – 18 March: IMCO Meeting
18 March: Transparency of content moderation – EAO Webinar
23-26 March: EUIPO working groups
23 March: Rebuilding Europe: what happens next? Conference
May 2021: Porto Social Summit
UNIC policy update 03/03/2021
COVID-19: EU response
25/02: Sassoli on the pandemic: “There can be no return to how things were before” – European Parliament
David Sassoli called on EU leaders to continue the common approach to Covid-19 vaccines in a speech to the European Council.
25/02: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel, following the videoconference of the members of the European Council – Council of the EU
22/02: Economic policy priorities for a post-pandemic recovery – European Parliament
A high-profile panel warned of the economic difficulties stemming from the pandemic, whilst noting that this crisis could offer the chance to rebuild EU economies.
16/02: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the informal ECOFIN press conference – European Commission
Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive
17/02: TDM exceptions and trust in AI - Kluwer Copyright Blog
Will the text and data mining (TDM) exceptions, introduced in arts 3 and 4 of the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM Directive) and currently being implemented by the EU Member States, serve its purpose of promoting the development of AI technologies or will they remain (another) set of meaningless black letter rules?
16/02: Five considerations for the transposition and application of Article 17 of the DSM Directive - IPKat
Nearly two years have passed since the adoption of the Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market 2019/790 (DSM Directive). As it was probably bound to happen, the discussion of its content – notably of its Article 17 – is no less heated now than in 2016-2019, that is the period between the release of the Commission’s original Proposal and the adoption of this piece of EU copyright legislation.
Czech Republic
24/02: State aid: Commission approves €115 million Czech rent compensation scheme to support businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission approved an approximately €115 million (CZK 3 billion) Czech scheme to support retail businesses and service companies which are using rented premises and whose activities were limited or not allowed to be carried out in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.
Estonia
26/02: Commission proposes to provide €230 million to Estonia under SURE – European Commission
The European Commission has today presented a proposal to the Council for a decision to grant €230 million in financial support to Estonia under the SURE instrument.
Poland
22/02: Poland Proposes Advertising Revenues Levy – Film New Europe
The Polish government has proposed a levy on advertising revenues aimed mainly at multinationals operating in Poland that pay only a small fraction of their revenues in the form of corporate income tax. The tax will not apply to smaller, local or regional media.
Recent studies:
European Parliament - Cultural and creative sectors in post COVID-19 Europe - February 2021
Events:
1 – 5 March: Berlinale’s European Film Market
4 March: ITRE Committee on the Digital Services Act
8 – 11 March: European Parliament Plenary
10 March: Virtual stakeholder meeting on the new Creative Europe MEDIA
11 March: European Audiovisual Observatory Advisory Board meeting
12 March: Informal video conference of Home Affairs Ministers
15 March: Eurogroup
15 -16 March: CULT Meeting
17 – 18 March: IMCO Meeting
UNIC policy update 17/02/2021
COVID-19: EU response
12/02: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Sassoli and Portuguese Prime Minister Costa on the Recovery and Resilience Facility – European Commission
11/02: EU recovery package: Council adopts Recovery and Resilience Facility – Council of the EU
The Council adopted a regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which lies at the heart of the EU’s recovery plan. It will make €672.5 billion in grants and loans available for public investment and reforms in the 27 member states to help them address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to foster the green and digital transitions and to build resilient and inclusive societies.
11/02: Remarks by Commissioner Gentiloni at the press conference on the Winter 2021 Economic Forecast – European Commission
10/02: MEPs call on ECB to prepare for looming economic difficulties – European Parliament
MEPs urge the European Central Bank to consider different policy measures to those currently in place to stimulate the EU economy, which faces darkening prospects.
10/02: Questions and answers: The Recovery and Resilience Facility – European Commission
04/02: Covid-19 recovery: how the main EU instrument will work – European Parliament
The €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility is the key tool in the EU's Covid-19 recovery plan to support reforms in response to the crisis.
Copyright enforcement
11/02: Participants in the virtual conference on "The Intellectual Property Metamorphosis in the Age of Digital Transition" – 2021 Portugal EU
With four panels and numerous participants, the aim of the encounter was to debate the topics directly related to industrial property.
EU Digital Services Act (DSA) & Digital Markets Act (DMA)
10/02: Regulate social media platforms to defend democracy, MEPs say – European Parliament
In a debate with Secretary of State for European Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias from the Portuguese Presidency of the Council, and Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, almost all speakers criticised the vast power of social media platforms and their worrying impact on politics and freedom of speech.
/02: Proposal for a Regulation on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act) – EAO Newsletter
The European Commission published the eagerly-awaited Proposal for a Regulation on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act) (DMA). The DMA builds upon the Platform-to-Business Regulation 2019 and its purpose is to target very large online platforms which act as gatekeepers between business users and end users, and which have a major impact and substantial control on the access to certain digital markets.
/02: Proposal for a Regulation on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act, DSA) – EAO Newsletter
The European Commission published the much-anticipated Proposal for a Regulation on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act, DSA). The proposed DSA introduces a harmonised set of new rules for digital services, including social media, online market places, and other online platforms that operate in the European Union.
Streaming Platforms
15/02: EU Filmmakers Call on Global Streamers to Commit to Fair Negotiating Conditions On Remuneration – FERA
As global streamers are on the rise in the European audiovisual online distribution and production markets, European filmmakers look forward to new opportunities for creative endeavors. The ongoing implementation of key European Directives touching to media regulation (AVMS Directive 2018/1808) and authors’ rights (Copyright Directive 2019/790) should ensure that these collaborations develop in fair and sustainable conditions for European audiovisual creation.
Bulgaria
/02: Local media law harmonised with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive - EAO Newsletter
On 22 December 2020, a new Act for amendment and supplement to Закон за радиото и телевизията (the Radio and Television Act - RTA) was promulgated in Държавен вестник (State Gazette) and entered into force on the same day. By way of this Act, Bulgaria has transposed Directive (EU) 2018/1808 (AVMSD/Directive) shortly after the infringement procedure opened by the Commission against Bulgaria and other countries.
Romania
01/02: EIB Group and Deutsche Leasing Romania strengthen support for business impacted by COVID-19 – European Commission
The first cooperation between the EIB Group and Deutsche Leasing Romania will help to strengthen investment by Romanian companies active in sectors affected by COVID-19.
Recent studies
The European Authors’ Society - Launch of Rebuilding Europe – EYxGESAC study – February 2021
Events:
19 February: G7 leaders' videoconference
24 – 25 February: CULT Meeting
25 February: Video conference of the members of the European Council
8 – 11 March: European Parliament Plenary
UNIC policy update 03/02/2021
COVID -19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
22/01: A welcome budgetary increase for Creative Europe/Media, an essential programme for the recovery and sustainability of the European film and Audiovisual sector in COVID-19 times - UNIC
Our eco-system has been rightfully recognised as one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and health & safety precautionary measures implemented by national governments. It is therefore crucial that the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme has the means to support the film and audiovisual sector in getting back on its feet, for the sake of its authors, talents, companies, workers, audiences and European citizens alike.
27/01: COVID-19 crisis will have ‘massive and lasting’ impact on Europe’s culture sector, says report – The Parliament Magazine
The study on the state of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Europe also says that the industry can be “one of the drivers to help boost and revamp” the EU economy.
28/01: UNIC calls for ongoing support for European cinemas to overcome the challenges of COVID - 19 - UNIC
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the body representing European cinema trade associations and operators, has released preliminary 2020 box office estimates for the territories covered by the organisation.
COVID-19: EU response
28/01: State aid: Commission prolongs and further expands Temporary Framework to support economy in context of coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission has decided to prolong until 31 December 2021 the State aid Temporary Framework adopted on 19 March 2020 to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission has also decided to expand the scope of the Temporary Framework by increasing the ceilings set out in it and by allowing the conversion of certain repayable instruments into direct grants until the end of next year.
27/01: European Commission successfully places first EU SURE bond in 2021 - European Commission
The European Commission has issued a €14 billion social bond under the EU SURE instrument to help protect jobs and people in work. The issuing consisted of two bonds, with €10 billion due for repayment in June 2028 and €4 billion due for repayment in November 2050.
25/01: Recovery and Resilience Facility: Commission updates guidance for recovery and resilience plans - European Commission
Following the political agreement on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) reached in December, the Commission has presented updated guidance to Member States on the preparation and presentation of recovery and resilience plans.
19/01: MEPs adopt Technical Support Instrument to speed up post-COVID-19 recovery – European Parliament
The Technical Support Instrument will help EU countries prepare the recovery plans needed to access funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Portuguese Presidency
28/01: Presentation of Portuguese priorities in CULT Committee – European Parliament
On 26 January 2021 during its morning remote meeting session the CULT Committee Members welcomed the Presentation of the priorities of the upcoming Portuguese Presidency.
Poland
1/02: Polish Film Institute to Spend 26.5 m EUR on COVID-19 Aid for Cinema Industry – Film New Europe
The Polish Film Institute will start accepting applications for their next batch of aid for producers, distributors, and studio/small cinemas on 1 February 2021.
Events:
8 -11 February: European Parliament Plenary
11 February: High Level Conference on topic “The changing face of Intellectual Property in the Digital Transition era” – INPI
11 February: EAO Online conference on the Digital Services Act package
15 February: Eurogroup meeting
24 & 25 February: CULT Meeting
