There is no mechanism in place for mediation in disputes over copyright issues in Poland, according to Jerzy Straszewski, president of the Polish Chamber of Electronic Communications (PIKE).
Speaking in a panel discussion on intellectual property on the second day of the PIKE 2013 conference and exhibition, he added that the Commission on Authors’ Rights (Komisja Praw Autorskich) formed in 2010 had no clearly defined role and there was a need for it to act as a mediator.
Józef Kot from Vectra Investments meanwhile said that the whole system for mediating disputes should be rebuilt from scratch, with the creation of an independent mediation authority and a court as a last resort.
Providing a different national perspective, Ferenc Kéry, the president of the Hungarian Cable Communications Association (HCA), said that Hungary was a “peaceful land” in the copyright area.
Achieving such a position could only be done through proper regulation and strong bodies such as the HCA, which represents 90% of cable operators in the country and has agreements in place with all providers.
He added that Hungary also benefits from having just one collection society.
