Brussels, 21/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - The president elect of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has been questioned by the cultural and creative sector about copyright issues.
In a letter sent to the Luxembourg politician in the middle of August, a score of European associations and organisations representing the interests of authors, interpreters, producers, publishers and distributors from across the whole media spectrum, insist that copyright be placed at the top of the future Commission's agenda.
The European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Michel Barnier, is expected to release a white Paper on copyright modernisation over the next few weeks and is also backing up the creative sector's appeal (see other article).
The cultural and creative sector expresses its support for developing the digital market and underlines the close link with this and respect for intellectual property and copyright as a, “critical component of innovation”. In their letter these associations recommend that any political action affecting the legal framework for copyright “should ensure contractual freedom”. They also appeal for “an adequate reward for European innovators, creators and producers” who take risks and “drive investment in new business models”, in a highly competitive global market.
The letter signatories highlight the need to be considered as an industry in itself, given that Junker has emphasised on many occasions that his political priorities involve strengthening Europe's industrial base. In the letter, the creative, cultural and media industries explain that they should be considered the same as the other industries mentioned in Junker's programme and benefit from means which other industries benefit from, such as: support for innovation, access to finance and a level playing field in terms of regulation.
The European companies and associations that signed the letter include: Vivendi, Bertelsmann, Mediaset, Editis, Hachette, Bonnier, Madrigall, IIPI, Impala, IMP, Sacem, FIAD, FERA, FSE, IFRRO, Cepi.tv, EACA, FEE, ENPA, EPC and EMMA. (MD)