IP Law Daily, COPYRIGHT NEWS: European Parliament adopts new directive for collective management of copyrighted works, (Feb 4, 2014)
By Cheryl Beise, J.D.
The European Parliament today voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new directive on “collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online uses in the internal market.” The directive was approved by 640 votes to 18, with 22 abstentions.
Under the new rules, online music service providers in the EU will be able to obtain licenses from collective management organizations representing authors’ rights across borders. With licenses covering more than one member state, service providers should find it easier to stream music services across the EU. The directive also protects artists’ rights, ensuring they receive adequate royalties promptly.
“The directive will effectively protect the interests of European creators and make it possible for end users to have access to copyright-protected content throughout Europe,” said the directive’s rapporteur, Marielle Gallo. “This directive is a clear signal that copyright can be easily adapted to the Internet. Copyright has an essential role to play in the digital economy.”
“The Directive will modernise the functioning of collective management organisations (also referred to as ‘collecting societies’) which manage copyright and related rights on behalf of rightholders, such as authors or performers, across Europe, EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier said in a statement. “Going forward, it will be easier for those services to cover a multitude of territories and a large catalogue of music, which in turn will increase the offer available in the EU.”
According to a press release, the specific objectives of the directive were to: (1) improve the way all collective management organizations are managed by establishing common governance, transparency and financial management standards; (2) set common standards for the multi-territorial licensing by authors’ collective management organizations of rights in musical works for the provision of online services; and (3) to create conditions that can expand the legal offer of online music.
The directive still has to be formally approved by the Council. After that, EU member countries will have 24 months to incorporate the directive into national law. More information on the directive, including a link to the provisional text adopted, is available here on the EU Parliament’s website.
News: Copyright