European Commission’s Green Paper On Online Distribution Of Audiovisual Works

European Commission’s stress upon intellectual property rights (IPRs) is well founded as IPRs bring innovation and prosperity to any nation. These days, IPRs of media, film industry, audio visual works, etc have assumed great importance.

Recently EU declared the new IPR policy for European economy. Under this new strategy, the Commission proposes an ambitious programme until the end of 2012 that foresees actions in all the main IPR, in particular patents, trade marks, copyright and related rights and geographical indications.

EU has also published a Green Paper on the online distribution of audiovisual works. In the framework of the IPR Strategy (Commission's communication "A Single Market for Intellectual Property Rights"), this paper aims to contribute to the development of a digital single market by launching a consultation on the opportunities and challenges of the online distribution of audiovisual works. All stakeholders are invited to participate in this consultation, which is open until November 2011.

This Green Paper is focused on the copyright licensing framework, but it also looks at the remuneration of authors and performers for the online use of their works.

New IPR Strategy Of European Union Declared

European Union (EU) has been stressing upon increase in innovation and protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs). In order to achieve this task, EU has been declaring various initiatives and policies from time to time.

The latest to add to this effort of EU is the declaration of new IPR strategy for the EU economy. Last week, EU published a communication titled “a Single Market for Intellectual Property Rights: Boosting creativity and innovation to provide economic growth, high quality jobs and first class products and services in Europe”. In this document, the Commission sets out its new IPR strategy intended to foster innovation, as well as the growth and competitiveness of the EU economy.

Under this new strategy, the Commission proposes an ambitious programme until the end of 2012 that foresees actions in all the main IPR, in particular patents, trade marks, copyright and related rights and geographical indications.

In the field of enforcement, it is foreseen the expansion of the responsibilities of the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy, the revision of the IPR Enforcement Directive (Directive 2004/48/EC), the support of further voluntary measures between stakeholders in the context of the internet and the adoption of a new Customs Regulation.

The Commission also prepared a booklet and frequently asked questions with the purpose to explain the IPR strategy, its goals and main actions foreseen.