Europees Parlement: Harmonising copyright at European level
"Breaches of intellectual property rights (IPR) on the internet are a growing problem for the economy and require a response at EU level, the European Parliament said on Wednesday. MEPs recommend the removal of barriers to a single digital market by granting EU-wide copyright licences for products like music, books and films.
(…) The Commission is therefore asked to propose a comprehensive strategy on IPR which will remove obstacles to creating a single market in the online environment and adapt the European legislative framework in the field of IPR to current trends in society as well as technical developments. It is also asked to think broadly about methods of facilitating industry's access to the digital market without geographical borders by addressing urgently the issue of multi-territory licences and the harmonisation of legislation on copyright. A pan-European licensing system should provide consumers with "access to the widest possible choice of content and not at the expense of European local repertoire", says the resolution.
Parliament does not share the Commission's view that the current civil enforcement framework in the EU is sufficiently effective and harmonised. Dialogue on possible solutions must involve all stakeholders, including Internet service providers, say MEPs.
Safeguards for private copies
MEPs argue that, in cultural terms, the 'private copy' should be seen as an exception to intellectual property rights. They want individuals who copy originals for private use not to have to prove that their copies are legitimate.
Anti-counterfeiting trade agreement: respect for fundamental rights
MEPs also call on the Commission to pursue its efforts to make progress on the negotiations for an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), taking full account of Parliament's position, and to ensure that the provisions of the ACTA fully comply with existing EU rules on IPR and fundamental rights.
Breaches of intellectual property rights outside the EU
Parliament also wants the Commission to set up more intellectual property helpdesks in third countries (notably in India and Russia), to help European entrepreneurs enforce their intellectual property rights more actively and to combat the entry into the EU internal market of counterfeit goods from such countries.
An independent study before any new legislation
MEPs point out that there is not enough data on breaches of intellectual property rights and they call for independent studies to be carried out before any new legislation is proposed.
Parliament adopted the report by Marielle Gallo (EPP, FR) on Wednesday by 328 votes in favour, 245 against and 81 abstentions. Two alternative resolutions tabled by the S&D, Greens/EFA and EUL/NGL groups on the one hand and by the ALDE group on the other were rejected."
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