Brussels, 19/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - In consideration of the fact that the EU recognises that work by artists constitute significant economic revenue in all countries and that the creative world of today is the heritage of tomorrow, the EP, in a resolution by Chairman of the culture committee, the French Socialist, Michel Rocard, criticised the absence of international protection for artists from the audio-visual sector. In view of the informal meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) 18-20 June 2003, which had planned for an agreement on including artists from the audio-visual sector in its treaty on 19-20 June, the Parliament is calling on the European Commission to: 1) inform it on the current state of play in negotiations at WIPO on visual performances in the audio-visual sector; 2) take action to get genuine WIPO treaty on WIPO Phonogram Performances WPTT; 3) inform it about developments in protection of artists from the audio-visual sector since diplomatic WIPO conference in December 2000. Parliament is insisting that rights of artists are enthusiastically encouraged, notably in the audio-visual sector or in many countries where the absence of protection has a very harmful effect on the diffusion of European works of art at an international level.
Artists and Austria Green, Raina Echerer are pleased
In welcoming the vote, the representative of the International Organisation of Performing Artists (GIART), Luis Cobos, pointed out in a press statement, that "we performers have been fighting for decades to get a protection as concerns our audio-visual performances, protections which is still denied us" He also declared that, "audio-visual performers are the only creators who are not protected at international level". Mr Cobos asked for help from the Austrian Green, Raina A. Mercedes Echerer to obtain this "important declaration from the European Parliament in favour of an international treaty protecting audio-visual performers' rights". Ms Echerer pointed out that the WIPO meeting would be in June and that it, "will probably be the last possibility for audio-visual performers to obtain a minimum level of protection at international level". For this reason Mr Cobos explained that, "the support of the European Parliament is extremely important for thousands of performers all over the world". Ms Echerer stated that, "Even if sometimes we feel not completely satisfied about EU policies, we have to realise that the European Union can be an enormous driving force at international level". She also added that, "Europe is one of the regions of the world where people are mostly supportive of their cultural identities…who would like to live in a world without music, films, theatre or ballet?"