Bid to protect copyright in cyberspace

Date: 30/05/1996

By Fiona McHugh

A MAJOR overhaul of the EU's copyright laws, aimed at stamping out piracy in the information society, is likely to be proposed towards the end of this year.

Following extensive consultations with industry representatives, Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti has concluded that the Union needs tougher legislation to protect the rights of performers, broadcasters and publishers in the digital age.

The Commission fears the emerging patchwork of national laws could stunt the growth of a sector which is vital to Europe's competitiveness and that, without appropriate copyright protection, companies will be unwilling to invest in services such as distance learning and video-on-demand.

Precisely what form the proposed legislation will take is not yet known, but it is likely to focus on issues such as the digital transmission of works and the granting of reproduction rights.

Monti is expected to favour a relatively minimalist approach along the lines of the 'transparency mechanism' currently awaiting adoption by the full Commission, which would force member states to send draft national laws affecting the information society to their EU partners and the Commission for vetting.

Monti's proposals, to be outlined in a communication this autumn, follow months of debate which will culminate in a high-profile conference in Florence next week.