Brussels, 24/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 24 August, the European Commission launched a public consultation to see whether EU rules on copyright licensing for TV and radio broadcasting by satellite and cable are still up-to-date in our current online environment (Directive 93/83/EEC). The Commission also wants to obtain the views of stakeholders on the possible extension of the directive's scope, in an effort to take into account developments in the fields of trade and technology and to help make a contribution to the objectives set out in the Single Digital Market Strategy. The consultation will come to a close on 16 November.
The Single Digital Market Strategy was presented by the Commission on 6 May (see EUROPE 11309). It includes 16 initiatives, including revision of the 1993 directive. By revising the directive, the Commission is seeking to establish up-to-date rules as a means to facilitate consumers' access to cross-border radio broadcasting services within the European Union. In an effort to remove barriers to the Single Digital Market, the Commission had already begun a public consultation in July, on the audiovisual media services directive (see EUROPE 11352). It has also announced that over the next few weeks it would be launching a series of debates on digital topics such as eGovernment, online platforms, geo-blocking and EU telecom rules. (Isabelle Lamberty)