Brussels, 26/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The agreement on the collective management of copyright, reached in inter-institutional trialogue, was approved by the parliamentary committee on legal affairs (JURI), on Tuesday 26 November. In future, it will thus be easier to have access to all kinds of online content, this being particularly important for music.
The rapporteur on this matter, Marielle Gallo (EPP, France), felt that the unanimous vote by her colleagues on the JURI committee on the draft directive was evidence that “contrary to some misconceptions, all political groups acknowledge that copyright is compatible with the digital age and can easily adapt to it”.
The agreement on the collective management of copyright above all guarantees more services of better quality for online music. Service providers such as downloading or streaming platforms may obtain licences more easily from collective copyright management companies. The latter, of which there are few operating at European level, will deliver such licences directly on the basis of common norms, this meaning that, each time, suppliers do not have to enter into negotiation with separate bodies in each member state. Thus, smaller and less known repertories will gain access to the market, thanks to uniform licences for all music collections. Gallo explained that “this is an enormous move forward that will reduce costs, simplify the concession of licences and promote the emergence of new European players on the single digital market”.
The agreement takes up an arsenal of measures that act as more proficient guidelines for respect of intellectual property in the digital age. The agreement redefines more clearly what right-holders are entitled to, such as the free choice of a collective management organisation and of the scope of authorisation (type of work or territory, for example). Payments should be made within time limits but not beyond nine months after the end of the financial period during which receipts are collected. Clauses must also guarantee transparency and better structures of governance for the rights management bodies. The institutional trialogue agreement was obtained on 4 November (see EUROPE 10957). It has still to be confirmed by the European Parliament, during its plenary session, and then also by the Council. (MD/transl.jl)