Copyright Reform: EPP Group considers proposals a first step

The EPP Group considers that the proposals tabled by the European Commission to modernise copyright rules are a first step to adapting these rules to the digital age.

On the Regulation proposal on the portability of online content services, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, Andreas Schwab MEP, said: "To facilitate access to online content, we need enhanced portability measures. Consumers need to have the possibility to watch purchased online services, such as Netflix, regardless of where they are, be it in the country where they purchased it or not. This is the only way to bring together the creative industry and consumers in the most balanced way."

However, he pointed out: "The Digital Single Market should be more about the end of unjustified geo-blocking. If we want a Digital Single Market to survive, we need to make it possible for digital content to be used across borders", added Schwab.

The Chairman of the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, Pavel Svoboda MEP, said that the Commission's Communication on the Copyright framework contained "concrete steps which we welcome very much" as "the role of the EU is to strike a balance between enabling users to access services and goods, and generating sufficient benefits to promote Europe's cultural diversity, heritage and creativity and to enhance Europe’s economic competitiveness."

"We are equally awaiting the announced legislation on implementing the Marrakech Treaty, to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled and urge its ratification as soon as possible", he added.

The EPP Group published its Position Paper on Copyright in November in which it defends copyrights as the only way in the Single Market to safeguard the interests of creators, consumers and rights holders.