Press Release: Commission takes first steps to broaden access to online content and outlines its vision to modernise EU copyright rules

The European Commission unveiled on 9 December 2015 a policy proposal and an action plan concerning access to online content and the reform of copyright rules in the European Union, respectively.

+ Regulation on the cross-border portability of online content services addresses these restrictions in order to allow EU residents to travel with the digital content they purchased or subscribed to at home. Cross-border portability, a new EU right for consumers, was expected to be a reality in 2017;

+ Action plan on copyright rules: a 'political preview' which was expected to be translated into legislative proposals and policy initiatives in the following six months, taking into account all inputs from several public consultations.

Commissioner Günther Oettinger later announced that a proposal to reform copyright rules would be released in September or October 2016, as debate raged over the controversial'Google Tax.

ESO: Background information: Copyright reform: promote cultural diversity and ensure access to it, say MEPs http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-copyright-reform-promote-cultural-diversity-and-ensure-access-to-it-say-meps/

ESO: Background information: Review of the EU copyright framework (European Implementation Assessment) http://www.europeansources.info/record/review-of-the-eu-copyright-framework-european-implementation-assessment/

ESO: Background information: Have your say on geo-blocking and the role of platforms in the online economy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-have-your-say-on-geo-blocking-and-the-role-of-platforms-in-the-online-economy/

ESO: Background information: EU copyright reforms kicked into 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-copyright-reforms-kicked-into-2016/

The Wall Street Journal, 09.12.15: EU Proposes Rules to Let Consumers Access Online Content When Abroad http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-proposes-rules-to-allow-consumers-to-access-online-content-when-abroad-1449658888

BBC News, 09.12.15: Netflix, iPlayer and others to be available on holiday http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35051054

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/15/6262, 09.12.15: Making EU copyright rules fit for the digital age - Questions & Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-6262_en.htm

EurActiv, 09.12.15: Commission wants consumers to access digital content when they travel http://www.euractiv.com/sections/digital/commission-wants-consumers-access-digital-content-when-they-travel-320274

Politico, 09.12.15: [Opinion] Copyright reform risks undermining European innovation http://www.politico.eu/article/copyright-reform-undermining-european-innovation-technology-media-consumers/

Euronews, 09.12.15: 09.12.15: EU seeks to reform digital copyright laws http://www.euronews.com/2015/12/09/eu-seeks-to-reform-digital-copyright-laws/

The Local.se, 09.12.15: Spotify streaming rules could get changed by EU http://www.thelocal.se/20151209/spotify-streaming-rules-could-get-changed-by-eu

Deutsche Welle, 09.12.15: EU seeks to end digital copyright restrictions http://dw.com/p/1HKli

The Guardian, 09.12.15: Netflix and Sky Sports could be unblocked for European travellers http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/dec/09/netflix-and-sky-sports-could-be-unblocked-for-european-travellers

Politico, 08.12.15: Coming soon: Netflix on holidays http://www.politico.eu/article/coming-soon-netflix-on-holidays-commission-regulation-media-geoblocking-eu/

EurActiv, 28.01.16: Commission to propose in May ending geo-blocking for online sales http://www.euractiv.com/sections/digital/commission-propose-may-ending-geo-blocking-online-sales-321406

EurActiv, 07.04.16: Fight over ‘Google tax’ brews ahead of autumn copyright proposal http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/fight-over-google-tax-brews-ahead-of-autumn-copyright-proposal/

EurActiv, 11.07.16: Commission asked to crack down on YouTube, Spotify, Netflix in copyright bill http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-asked-to-crack-down-on-youtube-spotify-netflix-in-copyright-bill/

---