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EIFL joins an open letter to the European Commission calling for ambitious copyright reform without curtailing internet freedoms

[Electronic Information for Libraries, Link (CC-BY)] EIFL has joined an open letter addressed to senior figures at the European Commission responsible for the digital single market. In the context of current copyright reforms, the letter asks that the Commission delivers on promises for ambitious reform so that copyright is fit for purpose in the digital environment, and that strengthens fundamental principles of rights to access knowledge.

The letter is co-signed by a coalition representing libraries, museums, consumers, digital rights groups, internet service providers and IT companies from all over Europe.

In the letter, civil society groups highlight the impact on basic everyday activities of online users, such as linking, embedding photos or videos online that would be curtailed should the rules on responsibility and liability of internet intermediaries be tightened. In particular, amending the definition of the rights of ‘communication to the public’ and of ‘making available’ in the way advocated by certain other groups would be very detrimental to the Internet as we know it.

In addition, the importance of enabling effective cross-border activities and services is highlighted. European consumers should be able to access and use cultural goods across the EU with ease, researchers should be able to collaborate using the latest technologies, and companies should be able to do business in an environment that helps creators to make a living from their work, and that enriches Europe’s cultural heritage.

Background

On 14 March 2016, Vice-President Ansip, responsible for the Digital Single Market, confirmed that legislative proposals on copyright reform were postponed until September, and that further consultations are needed on two issues: freedom of panorama (use of works, such as works of architecture or sculpture, located permanently in public places), and neighbouring rights (for example, ancillary copyright, also known as the “Google tax’).

Read the letter to the President of the European Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, First Vice-President Timmermans, Vice-President Ansip, the Commissioner for the Digital Economy & Society, the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Follow the EU copyright reform process here.