About: copyright reform Archives

Leading journalists from more than 20 countries joined a call Tuesday (27 August) for European MPs to approve a controversial media reform aimed at forcing internet giants to pay for news content.

A thin majority of MEPs blocked a controversial copyright bill from moving on to the next phase of negotiations in a dramatic vote on Thursday (5 July) that followed weeks of intense lobbying from tech companies, publishers, musicians and internet rights campaigners.

A sweeping, controversial copyright reform bill passed through the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) on Wednesday (20 June), but the legislation could still be toppled during a make-or-break vote in the full chamber’s plenary session next month.

More rifts have opened up in the European Parliament's negotiations over a contentious copyright law overhaul after a new MEP stepped in to lead on talks.

Mariya Gabriel was confirmed Tuesday (4 July) as the next EU digital Commissioner and will become the youngest person ever to take on a top Commission post.

Mariya Gabriel, the 38-year-old Bulgarian MEP tipped to become the new EU digital chief, told MEPs during her approval hearing that she wants to “comply” with the European Commission's policy priorities.

The tech industry is relieved that Bulgaria's nominee for Commissioner will oversee digital policies, filling a gap left open for four months after Günther Oettinger transferred to the budget post.

A list of hundreds of MEPs' amendments to the European Commission's copyright law overhaul includes squabbles over online platforms and text and data mining.

MEPs in the Internal Market Committee approved geoblocking rules that could open up access to music streaming sites and ebook sales across the EU, going beyond the European Commission's proposal and setting up a fight with industry groups.

European media groups voiced concern Tuesday (14 March) that the European Union could ditch plans to force search engines like Google to pay them when their content is used.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture, usually a staunch defender of authors’ rights, has proposed a series of new exceptions to the copyright reforms under development at EU level. Rapporteur Marc Joulaud is a former deputy of François Fillon and employer of his wife Penelope. EURACTIV France reports.

A copyright waiver that is intended to facilitate visually-impaired access to literature has been given the go-ahead by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), after eight member states filed a dispute.

European Union institutions moved a step closer yesterday (7 February) to letting consumers access their online subscriptions for services like Netflix or Sky when they travel across the bloc.

The European Commission has asked the Court of Justice (ECJ) for legal advice about an international treaty it signed in 2014 that helps provide access to literature for visually impaired people through copyright exemptions. But it is yet to ratify the agreement.

EU plans to charge internet companies for linking to online news were presented today (14 September) after a heated, two-year-long fight over whether the “Google tax” will help publishers stay profitable—or simply be overzealous regulation that could "break the internet".

Broadcasters may be forced to show content across the EU, not just in the country where they're based, under draft legislation put forward in the face of strident opposition from major companies across Europe.

The media and sports industries are preparing to lock horns with the European Commission over its plans to shake up copyright law to make more films, sports and TV shows available online throughout the 28-nation bloc.

Two groups representing the film and music industry wrote to Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday (11 July) asking the European Commission to crack down on internet companies they say are exploiting artists.

The EU is set to unveil proposals Wednesday (25 May) to make firms lift international barriers for Internet shoppers, and to force Netflix and Amazon to accept quotas for European movies and TV shows.

Consumer organisations are fighting with specific member states, including France, Italy, Spain and Greece, to limit access to subscriber content, such as films and music, when travelling abroad.

EU Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger announced that the executive will propose its new copyright law in September or October. But, in the interim, ferocious debate is raging over whether it should include a controversial 'Google tax'.

European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip sent a letter to MEPs today (12 February) insisting that the European Commission still hasn't decided whether it will include a so-called 'Google tax' in its upcoming copyright proposal.

The European Commission proposed a new regulation today (9 December) to allow residents of the EU to access legal digital content when they're traveling outside the country they live in.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation into the 1993 Satellite and Cable Directive, as a first step in its review of copyright law for online audiovisual content. EURACTIV Italy reports.