15/12/2017 (Agence Europe) – In the late afternoon of Friday 15 December, the committee of member state permanent representatives (Coreper) adopted the Council negotiating position on facilitating the cross-border transmission of audiovisual programmes. The member states reduced the scope of the country of origin principle to news and current affairs programmes (as Parliament adopted) and programmes financed by vetted by broadcasters. Under this principle, copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting needs only be paid for by the “country of origin” of the programme. Lastly, the member states did not add any provisions on direct injection (despite the requests of Belgium, Spain and France). “With today’s decision, we have taken a further step towards completion of the digital single market which will provide more opportunities for consumers and businesses”, said Estonian Justice Minister Urmas Reinsalu. (SPj)