Towards a copyright regime fit for the digital age

Today, the European Commission put forward the highly anticipated EU copyright action plan which has been described by the EPP Group spokesperson, Therese Comodini Cachia MEP, as a first step towards a modernised copyright framework adapted to the realities of the digital age.

Pavel Svoboda, the European Parliament Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee and Therese Comodini Cachia, EPP shadow rapporteur on the implementation of the Information Society / Copyright Directive stated:

"We welcome the Commission's Communication on the Copyright framework. Creators, consumers and businesses alike should fully benefit from the potential of the Digital Single Market. A fragmented Digital Single Market limits business opportunities for creators, as well as limits accessibility to content and services for end users. The role of the EU is to strike the right balance between enabling users to access services and goods, and generating sufficient benefits to promote Europe's cultural diversity, heritage and creativity and to enhance Europe’s economic competitiveness. Europe needs a more coherent framework regarding intellectual property rights. What the Commission is proposing today is a step by step approach which we warmly welcome. This means that we are now expecting the promised legislation on the implementation of the Marrakesh treaty, to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled and urge its ratification as soon as possible."