Last week the World Copyright Summit was held in Brussels. Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for digital policy, attended the conference and spoke about the future of copyright and entertainment business in Europe, 

Although Ms. Kroes began her speech with a few obvious statements, she did outline her view on the future of copyright in the European Union. The answer to the current difficulties in the entertainment sector is the creation of a single market for digital audiovisual content. 

 “Let me tell you my dream: I dream of artists really living from their art, embracing the opportunities of the digital era; I dream of artists spreading their art around Europe, and the world, if they so wish; and I dream of European citizens benefiting from all this.”

“Some people say that I am for a copyright title, others that I am for compulsory pan-European licensing. Some even say I am against copyright! But the reality is much more pragmatic. I want a European copyright system that enables this dream to be realised: I am utterly neutral as to how we get there,” Ms. Kroes said.

According to the EU Commissioner, the main objective in improving the EU copyright approach should be to create the legal framework which allows businesses to develop attractive new offers on different platforms and across borders.

“In concrete terms, the European Commission is creating a legal framework to facilitate the digitisation and dissemination of cultural works and will propose legislation to simplify collective management in Europe. We will also launch a debate on the opportunities and challenges of online distribution of audiovisual works. And we will make sure that the copyright enforcement regime is adapted to the digital era.”

“In Europe, the online audiovisual sector is handicapped by fragmentation, primarily along state boundaries and language borders. This is bad for three reasons. It harms consumer interests and reduces choice. It prevents our audiovisual industry from realising economies of scale and emerging as winners in a strongly competitive global Internet environment. And it does not help in the fight against piracy either. This is why I hope that our Green Paper on the distribution of audiovisual works, due out very soon, will help identify where improvement is needed to achieve a real digital Single Market in this sector.”

“The further development of the Digital Single Market will give opportunities for creators and new forms of cultural expression. Furthermore, the free circulation of online content and services inside the EU and across its borders will stimulate growth and create jobs. If we do it right, the Digital Single Market can boost Europe's economy, boost the diversity of our creative output, and boost artist rewards too.”