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 7/02/2019
EU Copyright Directive
22/01: Statement by Vice-President Ansip on copyright reform - European Commission
“This reform will bring much needed and direct advantages for teachers to improve their courses; for cultural heritage institutions to digitise their collections, for Europeans to conduct text & data mining, essential for our emerging AI capacities. All these points are largely agreed between negotiators. But not agreeing now would mean losing these fundamentally necessary copyright reforms”, stated VP Ansip.
EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive
/01: Obligations on on-demand audiovisual media services providers to financially contribute to the production of European works An analysis of European Member States' practices (Study) – VUB
The revised directive aims to strengthen European culture by requiring providers of on-demand audiovisual media services to ensure at least 30% of European works in their on-demand catalogues and a good visibility for that content.
Digital Single Market
29/01: Council and Parliament agree on new rules for contracts for the sales of goods and digital content – European Council
The Council and Parliament negotiators agreed on a package comprising a directive on contracts for the supply of digital content and services (Digital content directive - DCD), and a directive on contracts the sales of goods (Sales of goods directive - SGD). This provisional political agreement will now have to be confirmed by the two institutions.
29/01: Cross-border e-commerce: Commission welcomes agreement on proposal to facilitate sales of goods and supply of digital content and services in the EU – European Commission
Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, and Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality welcomed the agreement mentioning that: “today's agreement will boost consumers' confidence and therefore also business. Ultimately, an increased supply of both digital content and goods across Europe will bring more choice at competitive prices to consumers, and this is what the Digital Single Market is all about. We hope to see the same level of commitment from the European Parliament and the Council on two other EU priority files, namely the proposed modernised copyright rules to make them fit for the digital world and the proposed Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications”.
Digital regulation & taxation
29/01: International community makes important progress on the tax challenges of digitalisation - OECD
Countries and jurisdictions participating in the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) will step up efforts toward reaching a global solution to the growing debate over how to best tax multinational enterprises in a rapidly digitalising economy.
Recent Studies
Göteborg Film Festival - 6th Nostradamus Report – “Relevance in a New Reality” - February 2019
Institute for Information Law (IViR) - Film Financing and the Digital Single Market: its Future, the Role of Territoriality and New Models of Financing - January 2019
EAO - The legal framework for international co-productions - January 2019
Hadopi - The unlawful ecosystem of dematerialised cultural goods - January 2019
Events
8 February: COREPER – Copyright Directive
w/o 11 February: Possible Trilogue - Copyright Directive (TBC)
11 February: European Film Forum @ The Berlinale
14 February: EUIPO conference - IP in Education
20 February: European Parliament vote on Future of Creative Europe MEDIA Programme
19-20 March: EP Creative Week
25 March: EU SatCab Directive - European Parliament plenary sitting
25-28 March: EU Single Use Plastics Directive - European Parliament plenary sitting
8-12 April: EUIPO Working Group meetings
UNIC policy update 24/01/2019
EU Copyright Directive
13/01: Working Paper: Working Party on Intellectual Property (Copyright) – Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU
The working paper included compromise suggestion on Article 13 and proposal for a new Article on exclusion of software developers.
11/01: Q & A on the draft digital copyright directive – European Parliament
This Q and A provides answers to some of the issues regularly raised regarding the European Parliament’s position during the ongoing process to hammer out the digital copyright directive.
EU Broadcasting Directive
17/01: Analysis of the final compromise text with a view to agreement – Council of the EU & Council of the EU
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting and retransmission of television and radio programmes.
European Audiovisual Observatory
18/01: Independent producers’ coordinator takes over European Audiovisual Observatory’s Advisory Committee Chair – EAO
The Advisory Committee of the European Audiovisual Observatory has a new Chair. Elena Lai, Secretary General of the European Coordination of Independent TV Producers (CEPI), has been elected to head up the Observatory’s Advisory Committee.
16/01: Italy takes over the Presidency of the European Audiovisual Observatory for 2019 - EAO
The Strasbourg-based Observatory, part of the Council of Europe, has been providing facts and figures on the film, television and video industries in Europe since 1992. Each January a different Observatory member country takes over the yearly rotating Presidency. In 2019 Italy took over the the Presidency from France.
EU Film Contest
17/01: Launch of the 3rd edition of the EU Film Contest – Creative Europe MEDIA
Love European Films? Test your knowledge and join the competition! There are 10 trips to the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019 to win, travel and hotel included. This will be your chance to get a glimpse into the European audiovisual sector and meet film professionals.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
18/01: MEPs voice concern over Romanian EU Council presidency – The Parliament Magazine
Romania assumed the EU Council presidency on 1 January, the first time it has been at the helm of the EU since it joined the bloc in 2007.But its government has repeatedly faced criticism from MEPs and others about the rule of law, a crackdown on civil society and alleged civil rights abuses in the country.
Events
11 February: European Film Forum @ The Berlinale
14 February: EUIPO conference - IP in Education
20 February: European Parliament vote on Future of Creative Europe MEDIA Programme
8-12 April: EUIPO Working Group meetings
Recent Studies
EAO - Brexit: The impact on the audiovisual sector - December 2018
EAO - YouTube and Facebook together net over 50% of the online video advertising market - December 2018
UNIC policy update 19/12/2018
EU Broadcasting Directive
13/12: Digital Single Market: EU negotiators agree to facilitate access to online TV and radio content across borders – European Commission
The negotiators of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, have reached a political agreement on the proposed copyright legislation on TV and radio programmes.
EU Budget
12/12: EU budget 2019 approved: focus on the young, innovation and migration – European Parliament
After Council formally approved the conciliation agreement with Parliament on the 2019 budget on 7 December, Parliament approved the budget on Wednesday by 451 votes to 142, with 78 abstentions. It was then signed into law by President Antonio Tajani.
Digital Taxation
13/12: MEPs agree on new rules to tax digital companies’ revenues – European Parliament
The plenary proposed widening the scope of the directives on taxing digital businesses operating in the EU.
Copyright Enforcement
07/12: Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List – EUIPO
The European Commission has published its long-awaited Counterfeit and Piracy Watch-List.
EU Elections
07/12: European Parliament aims to reverse voter apathy with new election awareness campaign – The Parliament Magazine
The European Parliament has launched a new campaign designed to boost voter turnout in the elections next May.
Gender Balance
10/12: EU actions progress -Women in Digital – European Commission
This factsheet gives an overview of all key issues related to the trend in participation of women in the digital sector and the EU actions in progress to address them.
Recent Studies
EAO - Brexit: The impact on the audiovisual sector - December 2018
EAO - YouTube and Facebook together net over 50% of the online video advertising market - December 2018
Events
14/15 January: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
UNIC policy update 05/12/2018
EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)
28/11 : EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) published in official EU Journal – Official Journal of the European Union
Creativity Works!
22/11: ‘Technology is not culture’: how platforms can help shape a healthy ecosystem online – Creativity Works!
Online platforms are an integral part of today’s digital economy. They increase the speed at which information is shared and introduce consumers to a wide variety of digital goods and services. But their dominant rise casts concern about the largely unregulated role they play in disseminating creators’ content and raises questions about what steps should be taken to safeguard a fair and competitive online ecosystem. The topic was debated at an event in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Christian Ehler.
EU Copyright Directive
29/11: Authors’ Group comments ahead of the Council IP Working Group - FERA
Ahead of the IP Working Party meeting held on November 30, the Authors’ Group called attention to several aspects of the compromise solution on the proposed Copyright Directive Chapter 3 “Fair remuneration in contracts of authors and performers”, which are of critical importance to the EU creative community.
UNIC policy update 22/11/2018
EU Copyright Directive
14/11: EU Council poised to insist on mandatory upload filters – MEP Julia Reda
The closed-door trilogue efforts to finalise the EU Copyright Directive continue. The Presidency of the Council, currently held by Austria, has now circulated among the EU member state governments a new proposal for a compromise between the differing drafts currently on the table for the controversial Articles 11 and 13.
Competition
06/11: Mergers: Commission approves Disney's acquisition of parts of Fox, subject to conditions – European Commission
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of parts of Fox by Disney, both US based global media companies. The decision is conditional on full compliance with commitments offered by Disney.
09/11: Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Disney in pay-TV investigation – European Commission
The European Commission is inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by Disney to address competition concerns relating to contractual clauses preventing the cross-border provision of pay-TV.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)
06/11: Less hate speech and more European content on video streaming services: Council adopts new EU rules – Council of the European Union
As a result of updates by the EU to its rules for audiovisual media services, traditional television and new services such as on-demand broadcasting will compete on a level playing field. Video sharing platforms will also for the first time be subject to rules ensuring that viewers, and in particular minors, will be better protected from violent or harmful content or hate speech.
EU Budget
14/11: Long-term EU budget : MEPs lay down funding priorities for post-2020 budget – European Parliament
In a vote on Wednesday, MEPs confirmed their position on the next EU long-term budget, including a precise breakdown of the amounts for each EU programme.
European Elections
08/11: Manfred Weber elected as EPP candidate for the President of the European Commission - EPP Group
The Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) today elected Manfred WEBER as the EPP’s candidate for President of the European Commission, ahead of the May 2019 European Parliament elections.
07/11: Progressives unite behind Frans Timmermans – S&D Group
After Frans Timmermans was endorsed as the PES Common Candidate by fellow Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, the president of the S&D Group Udo Bullmann hosted an exchange with Frans Timmermans at the S&D Group meeting yesterday, with the participation of Maros Šefčovič and PES president Sergei Stanishev. The meeting was a clear sign that progressives are up and ready for the 2019 campaign.
Lux Film Prize
14/11: Winner of the Lux Film Prize: “This is about a woman who wants to save the world” (video) – European Parliament
Woman at War has won this year’s Lux Film Prize. In an interview, director Benedikt Erlingsson talked about climate change and the challenges it poses to democracy.
Events
27 November: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
27-30 November: EUIPO Working Group Meetings, Warsaw
3-4 December: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
14 December: UNIC Paris Meeting
UNIC policy update 09/11/2018
Creative Europe MEDIA
26/10: CULT Committee draft report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe programme (2021 to 2027) – European Parliament
EU Budget
24/10: EU Budget 2019: focus on the young, on migration and innovation – European Parliament
In their budgetary resolution, MEPs reaffirm their priorities: “sustainable growth, innovation, competitiveness, security, tackling root causes of refugees and migration flows, managing refugee and migration flows, the fight against climate change and the transition to sustainable energy, and a particular focus on young people.”
European Commission
23/10: Commission Work Programme 2019: Delivering on promises and preparing for the future – European Commission
The European Commission presented its Work Programme for 2019, setting out three main priorities for the year ahead: reaching swift agreement on the legislative proposals already presented to deliver on its ten political priorities; adopting a limited number of new initiatives to address outstanding challenges; and presenting several initiatives with a future perspective for a Union at 27 reinforcing the foundations for a strong, united and sovereign Europe.
E-commerce
23/10: European Commission and European Parliament take stock of the progress made in breaking down barriers to e-commerce in the EU – European Commission
Vice-President Ansip and Commissioners Bieńkowska, Jourová and Gabriel met in Strasbourg with members of the European Parliament to take stock of the progress made in breaking down the barriers to e-commerce in the EU and discuss next opportunities and challenges.
Recent Studies
European Parliament - Research for CULT Committee – Audiovisual Sector and Brexit: the Regulatory Environment - October 2018
EAO - 12% of all films released in the EU are at least 10 years old. New study explores the volume of catalogue films in the EU in cinemas, TV and VOD - October 2018
EAO - One third of all audiovisual media services established in the EU exist as locally adapted versions - October 2018
Events
12 November: EU DG COMP decision on Disney/Fox merger
20 November: UNIC Screening - Werk Ohne Autor, Brussels
27 November: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
27-30 November: EUIPO Working Group Meetings, Warsaw
3-4 December: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
UNIC policy update 26/10/2018
EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive
18/10: Draft Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities (first reading) – EU Council
EU Broadcasting Regulation
05/10: Updating broadcasting rules for digital; spreading and promoting European culture – Andrus Ansip Blog
“So it is not about free access, or about destroying business models for film producers or musicians. But it is about getting access to cultural content without pulling the rug out from under Europe's creative sector and culture” stated Commissioner Ansip.
Copyright Enforcement
18/10: The owner of an internet connection used for copyright infringements through filesharing cannot be exonerated from liability simply by naming a family member who might have had access to that connection - CJEU
Directory of European Films
18/10: Digital single market: a directory of European films to facilitate on-line access – European Commission
On the occasion of the Marché international du film classique [International Classic Film Market] in Lyon, Mariya Gabriel, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, will today present the prototype of a directory of European films, a key action of the Digital4Culture strategy which is also part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.
Lux Film Prize
15/10: Discover the Lux Film Prize finalists in a cinema near you – European Parliament
Three films featuring three strong female characters facing difficult dilemmas: the Lux Film days are bringing them to a cinema near you.
Croatia
/10: Croatia – New law on audiovisual activities – EAO Newsletter
The Croatian Parliament has recently adopted the new Law on Audiovisual Activities (Zakon o audiovizualnim djelatnostima). This Law concerns the promotion of the production of audiovisual works.
Events
25 October: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive27 November: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive3-4 December: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
UNIC policy update 09/10/2018
Digital Single Market
26/09: European digital single market – a priority of Council Presidency conference – EU2018AT
At the High Level Conference on Digital and E-Government which took place on 26 September 2018 in Vienna, ministers and high‑level expert officials had a constructive exchange on elementary e-government and digitalisation issues.
EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive
26/09: Audiovisual media: MEPs vote on new rules fit for a digital age – European Parliament
New rules on audiovisual media aim to better protect viewers, encourage innovation and promote European content. MEPs approved them on 2 October.
Creative Europe Programme
27/09: FNE TV: MEP Silvia Costa, EU Parliament Culture & Education Committee and Rapporteur for Creative Europe 2021-2027 – Film New Europe
FNE asked Silvia Costa about the most important differences between Creative Europe 2021-2027 and the previous programme and the importance of the LUX Prix for European culture.
EU Budget
26/09: DRAFT INTERIM REPORT on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – European Parliament
26/09: EU Budget 2019: MEPs increase funding on youth, migration and research – European Parliament
Budget MEPs increased Erasmus+ funds and restored budgets for infrastructure investments, as well as Horizon 2020, the EU research programme.
European Union Intellectual Property Office
01/10: Christian Archambeau takes over as Executive Director of EUIPO – EUIPO
Mr Christian Archambeau has now taken up his duties as Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) after his appointment was confirmed by the European Council.
European Audiovisual Observatory
26/09: How are audiovisual media services licenced in Europe today? – European Audiovisual Observatory
European Audiovisual Observatory has published a new mapping report of the licensing systems for audiovisual media services in today’s European Union.
Events
8-9 October: Challenging (the) Content – Content made in Europe in the digital economy - Vienna
8-11 October: NATO Fall Summit
10 October: CICI Lunch - European Parliament, Brussels
10 October: Attaché meeting - EU Copyright Directive
15 & 16 October: UNIC Cinema Days - Brussels
17 October: Attaché meeting - EU Copyright Directive
25 October: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
UNIC policy update 01/10/2018
Copyright Directive
13/09: Parliament approves controversial EU copyright reform – The Parliament Magazine
MEPs have approved controversial EU copyright reform, which includes a proposal for a publishers’ neighbouring right.
12/09: Parliament adopts its position on digital copyright rules – European Parliament
Parliament adopted its revised negotiating position on copyright rules on Wednesday, adding safeguards to protect small firms and freedom of expression.
12/09: UNIC welcomes the European Parliament vote on the Copyright Directive – UNIC
Following the plenary vote in the European Parliament on the Directive for Copyright in the Digital Single Market on 12 September, UNIC would like to welcome the outcome and thank the Parliament for supporting Europe's cultural and creative sectors.
Film Festivals
17/09: Full theatrical release vital for audiences says UNIC – UNIC
UNIC added its own voice to those seeking to ensure that films selected for competition at leading film festivals receive a full theatrical release.
11/09: Venice Festival winner invisible to cinemas audience worldwide – CICAE
The International Confederation of Art Cinemas has recently called for a ban on movies produced or distributed by Netflix that were part of the official competition of the Venice International Film Festival. The award night of the prestigious festival proved that the cry out was well founded.
Creative Europe Media
20/09: Joint statement supporting the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme – UNIC Website
Alongside organisations working across the European audiovisual sector and in light of ongoing discussions surrounding the future of the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme and the next Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021/2027, UNIC would like to re-iterate its utmost support for Creative Europe MEDIA and its proportionate share of the overall Creative Europe budget.
CICAE
14/09: New General Delegate appointed at CICAE - CICAE
The International Confederation of Art House Cinemas (CICAE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Boglárka Nagy as the new General Delegate of the association.
Events
4 October: European Creative Industries Summit (ECIS) 2018 - Vienna8-9 October: Challenging (the) Content – Content made in Europe in the digital economy - Vienna8-11 October: NATO Fall Summit10 October: CICI Lunch - European Parliament, Brussels 15 & 16 October: UNIC Cinema Days - Brussels
UNIC policy update 12/09/2018
EU Copyright Directive
25/08: Copyright Plenary Vote: Big Tech Tactics Revealed – Creativity Works!
Following the July Plenary vote, and the intense disinformation campaign produced by Big Tech, journalists and policymakers alike have uncovered disturbing truths.
27/08: Europe’s creative & cultural actors unite to call for an online environment that works for EU creativity – europeforcreativity.org
“We prefer to invest our time and/or money in creation, jobs, growth and a plural and diverse cultural landscape. That is what we believe Europe is about. Real people that create real things and really want this reform to ensure the online world plugs the value gap”, mentions the statement.
04/09: MEPs in last-minute meeting ahead of crunch EU copyright vote – The Parliament Magazine
MEPs were meeting on Tuesday in a last-minute effort to agree a compromise that will be acceptable to a majority of deputies ahead of a key vote next week on the reforming EU copyright rules.
10/09: Intense lobbying continues ahead of EU copyright vote – The Parliament Magazine
World famous artist Wyclef Jean has joined others in urging MEPs to this week vote against a proposed reform of the EU copyright laws which has returned to the plenary following Parliament’s decision not to enter the interinstitutional negotiations.
EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive
03/09: MEPs to vote on EU audiovisual media services reform next month – The Parliament Magazine
A vote in plenary in Strasbourg, the first after the summer recess, to endorse the new rules is likely to take place in the week starting 10 September.
European Elections 2019
24/08: 2019 European elections 'could be the most decisive yet' on future of EU – The Parliament Magazine
The next European elections could see a “flattening out” of the centre and further fragmentation of party support, according to a new report.
Recent Studies
EAO - The origin of films in VOD catalogues - August 2018IVIR Amsterdam - Global Online Piracy Study - July 2018EU OMC - The role of public policies in developing entrepreneurial and innovation potential of the cultural and creative sectors - April 2018
Events
12 September: European Parliament Plenary Vote - EU Copyright Directive
24-27 September: FNCF Congress 2018 - Deauville 26 & 27 September: EUIPO Plenary Meeting 2018 - Alicante
4 October: European Creative Industries Summit (ECIS) 2018 - Vienna
8-9 October: Challenging (the) Content – Content made in Europe in the digital economy - Vienna
8-11 October: NATO Fall Summit
10 October: CICI Lunch - European Parliament, Brussels
15 & 16 October: UNIC Cinema Days - Brussels
UNIC policy update 23/07/2018
EU Copyright Directive
19/07: Authors urge MEPs to find a common line and adopt the Copyright Directive without further delay - FERA
The Authors’ Group mentions that ‘throwing the Directive away by postponing its adoption would be a failure to deliver any concrete improvement to the situation of European authors and be an appalling missed opportunity to strengthen the creative community and Europe’s cultural wealth in the digital era.’
Cult Committee
17/07: Draft CULT Report on the New European Agenda for Culture - European Parliament website
The rapporteur stresses, among other things, the need to protect creators in the digital landscape and to this end welcomes the proposal for the Copyright Directive. He calls on the European Commission and Member States to ensure that digital platforms that play an active role in distributing, promoting and monetising copyright protected content have a clear obligation to obtain licenses from right holders and to fairly remunerate artists, authors, news publishers, producers, journalists and creators for the digital use of their work.
Video Sharing Platforms
12/07: Video Sharing Platforms – who’s making the rules and how do they apply? – European Audiovisual Observatory
How does European legislation sheriff the wild wild west of content sharing platforms such as YouTube? And what of Facebook? How does European law define their role and responsibilities? High time for the European Audiovisual Observatory’s new report: The legal framework for video-sharing platforms.
Event:
12 September: European Parliament Plenary Vote - EU Copyright Directive
24-27 September: FNCF Congress 2018 - Deauville
26 & 27 September: EUIPO Plenary Meeting 2018 - Alicante
15 & 16 October: UNIC Cinema Days - Brussels
UNIC policy update 04/07/2018
EU Copyright Directive
27/06: Europe’s cultural and creative sectors call on MEPs to uphold the mandate on copyright in plenary – UNIC Website
“We represent 4.5% of EU GDP and 12 million European jobs. We are the heart and soul of Europe’s plurality and rich identities. On July 5 we ask for you to back the mandate adopted by JURI on 20 June which is the result of long and intense negotiations” highlights the main message of the Europe’s creative and cultural sectors to the MEPs.
29/06: CW! asks MEPs to uphold JURI mandate on Copyright Directive – Creativity Works!
Creativity Works! has joined 93 organisations from Europe’s creative and cultural sectors that are asking Members of the European Parliament to support the Legal Affairs (JURI) mandate on the Copyright Directive report during the Plenary vote on 5 July.
20/06: Copyright: MEPs update rules for the digital age – European Parliament
Plans to update of EU copyright rules for today’s online world and ensure fair pay for artists and journalists were backed by the Legal Affairs Committee.
20/06: Joint Press Release: The European Parliament’s report on the Copyright Directive in the Digital Single Market: a first good step for audiovisual authors – SAA, FERA & FSE
The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) welcome the vote of the Legal Affairs’ Committee in favour of a new Article -14a establishing a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers.
Copyright Enforcement
26/06: Press Release: AAPA Launches Anti-Piracy Award – Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance
At this year’s Europol Intellectual Property Crime conference, the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) announced the winner of it first award for a successful initiative to tackle audiovisual piracy. The winner was Grupo de Antipirateria of the Policia Nacionale (Spain), led by Inspector Marlene Álvarez Vicente. The award recognised the Grupo de Antipirateria’s successful operations in large scale illegal streaming cases, many of which affected AAPA members.
Digital Single Market
/07: European Commission Communication on completing a trusted Digital Single Market for all – EAO Newsletter
In the Communication, the Commission provides an overview of the legislative proposals it has made over the last three years, reviews the progress of their adoption and implementation, and calls on its co-legislators - the European Parliament and the Council - to accelerate their work in order to meet the European Council’s goal of concluding the DSM Strategy by the end of 2018.
Council of the European Union
01/07: Austria takes over presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2018 – Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU
On the first of July, Austria took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months.
Competition
15/06: Mergers: Commission clears Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Sky under EU merger rules – European Commission
The European Commission has approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Sky by Comcast, a US based global media, technology and entertainment company. The Commission concluded the transaction would raise no competition concerns in Europe.
Gender Balance
19/06: Working report on gender representation in the audiovisual media sector – European Commission
A short working report, outlining the national measures and initiatives to support the place and image of women in audiovisual media, both on- and off-screen, has been published.
Events
5 July: Vote in Plenary - EU Copyright Directive16 July: Creative Europe MEDIA Stakeholder Meeting 24-27 September: FNCF Congress 2018 - Deauville 26 & 27 September: EUIPO Plenary Meeting 2018 - Alicante 15 & 16 October: UNIC Cinema Days - Brussels
