The aim is to ensure that Europeans who buy or subscribe to films, sports broadcasts, music, e-books and games in their home Member State are able to access this content when they travel or stay temporarily in another EU country. The Regulation comes into force on 1 April 2018 in all EU Member States.
Comments closedCategory: EU
While online marketplaces are strong drivers of innovation and growth as they offer new business opportunities, they are also increasingly used as a distribution channel for counterfeit and pirated goods. To prevent the sale of counterfeit goods online, the Commission invited internet platforms, rights owners and associations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Sale of Counterfeit Goods via the internet (‘MoU’).
Comments closedStakeholders’ dialogue focusing on licensing issues and aiming at improving the proportion of EU audiovisual works available on VoD platforms
Having a platform to meet and discuss licensing issues preventing availability of EU AV works on VoD platforms (e.g. exclusivity issues; release windows), at European level, could contribute to reach agreements (self-regulatory measures) for a more sustained exploitation of EU works, which would benefit all stakeholders involved. However, chances of reaching concrete agreements would depend on the willingness of the stakeholders to engage in constructive discussions and to take commitments.
Comments closedIn many cases, divergent legal environments, the legal uncertainty involved and the associated risks as regards the applicable consumer protection and environmental or labelling laws, taxation and fiscal issues, delivery costs or language requirements contribute to the traders’ unwillingness to engage in commercial relations with consumers from other Member States. In other cases some traders are fragmenting the market in order to increase consumer prices.
Comments closedExisting disparities in relation to contract law in different Member States may adversely affect businesses and consumers, in addition to other key regulatory and non-regulatory issues such as tax laws, delivery network issues, payment systems and language barriers. However, the main difficulties encountered by consumers and the main source of disputes with traders concern the non-conformity of goods with the contract. It is therefore necessary to improve consumer confidence in the internal market and to help to create a level-playing field for traders.
Comments closedThe activities of intermediaries differ from those of traditional media outlets in respect of the provision of news. However, the wide scope of information they distribute, their wide audience reach and their potential for highly targeted advertising have contributed to a shift of advertising and marketing revenues towards the internet. These trends challenge the traditional media business models and contribute to an increase in media consolidation and convergence.
Comments closedMr. Tolsma (plaintiff) challenged a decision in which the Inspector of Turnover Taxes charged certain sums as turnover taxes on the Tolsma’s activity as the operator of a barrel organ. The plaintiff uses that instrument to play music on the public highway, on which occasions he solicits ‘remuneration’ from passers-by by rattling his collecting tin.
Comments closedThe limited availability of EU AV works on VoD platforms is expected to persist under the baseline option. The maturity of the VoD market in terms of revenues has not been reached yet. In the absence of any intervention at EU level, contractual blockages are likely to persist. In many cases, the licensing process for EU AV works would remain burdensome.
Comments closedWhile the Directive does not provide a list of the specific rights which are considered intellectual property rights for its purposes, Recital 13 explains that its scope should be defined as widely as possible to encompass all the IPR covered by provisions of EU law in this field and/or by the national laws of the Member States.
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