Brussels, 18/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for the Digital Economy, Günther Oettinger, has provide reassurances about his determination to take into account the criticism and recommendations expressed by the European film sector in the process for reforming copyright planned for this autumn. The Commissioner asserted that “copyright must continue to be the driving force for creation in the digital era… We need European rules to tackle piracy. The digital market does not mean harmonising all the rules”.
On Sunday 17 and Monday 18 May, the Commissioner attended the Cannes Festival to meet key figures in the European audiovisual sector. His discussions with them included the “Strategy for a Single Digital Market” presented on 6 May by the Commission. In a press release, the European Commission stressed “The Commissioner will respond to the call made by European filmmakers published on 9 April in which they call for improved broadcasting of European Works and copyright protection”. Oettinger is expected to take part in a forum with young European filmmakers, which will also be attended by Abderrahmane Sissako and Joachim Trier, two directors whose films have received support through the European Creative Europe-MEDIA programme. This year, 25 films supported by the European Union to the tune of €2.4 million have been selected by the Festival, which is a record. Ahead of this event, the Commissioner stated: “I am eager to meet filmmakers, particularly the new generation representing the future of our cinema. I will present them with more details about our initiatives to encourage cultural diversity in the digital era”. (Isabelle Lamberty)