Europe’s commercial broadcasters have warned the new European copyright package may undermine the industry’s financing.
They’ve welcomed rules on copyright covering online transmission of TV and radio. However, the Association of Commerical Television for one holds clear concerns. “ACT and a large swathe of the AV sector remain concerned that this Regulation, in combination with increasing restrictions to contractual freedom, may undermine financing of works to the ultimate detriment of EU consumers and cultural diversity in Europe.
The ACT says extending the country of origin principle is unwelcome, saying such an extension would jeopardise investment in audiovisual works.
“There are compelling grounds for a substantial rethink to ensure investment in high-quality original EU content is preserved for the benefit of European viewers and the job intensive EU audiovisual sector. The EU must champion Europe’s creative industries now, rather than making unnecessary changes that may undermine contractual freedom and damage future investments.”
It holds concerns over the so-called “value gap” provisions in the proposal for a Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market are a step in the right direction in order to address the responsibility of online service providers which enable access to protected works.