European Commission failed to #FixCopyright
Stop ‘RoboCopyright’ and Ancillary Copyright & start to focus on users and creators
The European Commission promised to modernize copyright, but instead of creating a well-functioning legal framework addressing the concerns of creators and end-users it proposes to protect old business models by creating what it claims to be a ‘well-functioning marketplace’. To do so, the EC creates ‘RoboCopyright’, compelling intermediaries hosting user-uploaded content to implement content filtering technologies and handing over the content policing to the right holders. Our message to the EC: Stop ‘RoboCopyright’ and ancillary copyright, and start to focus on users and creators.
Caroline De Cock, Copyright for Creativity (C4C) Coordinator
Following the publication of the European Commission’s (EC) proposal for a Directive on ‘Copyright in the Digital Single Market’, the Copyright for Creativity (C4C) coalition would like to share its outcry about the EC’s lack of ambition and the missed opportunity of this copyright review.
Our 3 major concerns are — detailed overview below:
- Not addressing the promised objective: The EC’s reform proposal starts from the outset that is more important to achieve ‘a well-functioning marketplace for copyright’, rather than creating a well-functioning legal framework for copyright that address the concerns of citizens and end-users, and enables a digital single market.
- The introduction of ‘RoboCopyright’: Ignoring any threats to users’ fundamental freedoms, the EC seems to consider algorithms by private companies should filter European citizens’ content on the Internet. (check out ‘RoboCopyright 2.0‘)
- Blatant disregard of citizens’ voices: The EC has shrugged off the input to the consultation on the role of publishers in the copyright value chain and on the ‘panorama exception’; which gave clear indications of what Europeans wanted (results). Instead, the EC (1) proposes an EU-wide retroactive ancillary copyright lasting 20 years, and (2) ignored freedom of panorama, save for a footnote in the Impact Assessment.
The EC claims it listens to the concerns of citizens and takes them into account.
Why not on copyright?
More Detailed Overview
Other resources
- Wikimedia — In an attempt to modernize copyright laws, the European Commission forgets about users
- Openforum Europe — New EU copyright does not support an open Internet
- EDiMA — European Commission copyright proposals not fit for the digital age [PDF]
- CCIA — European Commission releases Copyright and Telecom rules: end of Europe’s digital single market ambitions?
- IFLA — European Copyright Proposals: Libraries and Cultural Heritage Institutions Respond
- VZBV — Große Enttäuschung über die Vorschläge zum europäischen Urheberrecht
- BEUC — EU modest in opening up online content market to consumers
- LIBER — A Strong Rationale Needs Strong Resolve — LIBER Responds to the Commission Copyright Proposal
- COMMUNIA — Europeans deserve a better copyright reform
- DIGITALEUROPE — Copyright reform misses an opportunity to adapt European rules to the digital age [PDF]
- EuroISPA — European Commission copyright proposal risks turning back the clock on Digital Single Market
- CDT — EU Squanders Opportunity to Modernise Copyright Rules
- EDRi — New copyright directive fails at every level
- Bitkom — Bitkom kritisiert Copyright-Paket der EU-Kommission
- IGEL — Draft copyright directive is out and a slap in the face of the Internet!
- Mozilla — Commission Proposal to Reform Copyright is Inadequate
- Save the Link — EU Commission formally proposes Link Tax to European Parliament as part of new Copyright Directive
- LERU — EU copyright reform and TDM : potentially good for research but certainly not (yet) for innovation!
- IMMF — Statement on Proposal for a Directive on Copyright [PDF]
- Creative Commons — European Commission Copyright Proposal Leaves Users In The Dark
- Open Rights Group — Copyright reform fails EU citizens in favour of industry
