EC Urges Member States To Stamp Out Electronic Piracy

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

06 May 2003

In a recently released report, the European Commission has urged EU member states to work together to clamp down on growing electronic piracy of pay-TV, radio, and internet services.

Assessing the implementation of the 1998 Directive on legal protection for electronic pay-services, a European Commission report urges copyright holders to work with pay-TV companies to find contractual solutions, and EU member states to fully implement the directive in order to create 'a coherent pan-European legal framework'.

According to the EC:

'Broadcasters often refuse to provide services to customers in different member states than the one they primarily broadcast to, usually because their agreements with intellectual property and other right holders such as writers, performers and sports bodies cover only that member state.'

The report also announced that: 'Those member states that have not properly implemented the Directive should do so immediately,' adding that:

'The Commission decided in December 2001 and in March 2002 to initiate European Court of Justice proceedings against Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg and Spain. Since then, Greece and Luxembourg have taken steps to comply with the Directive. The Commission is currently assessing these and will withdraw the infringement procedures against these countries if appropriate.'

Recommended