Press Release: EESC takes a stand on copyright and music

On 9 February 2010, the European Economic and Social Committee held a public hearing on copyright, with special emphasis on music. The debate was an ideal platform to exchange views on the issue of the governance and transparency of collecting companies as well as related legal aspects.

The hearing took place in the framework of an EESC own-initiative opinion on Copyright. "The issue of copyright is clearly one that should be examined by civil society, which can play a key role in this regard" , said the rapporteur Panagiotis Gkofas (Various Interests' Group, Greece). The co‑rapporteur Daniel Retureau (Employees' Group, France) stressed that illegal copying resulted from the absence of an affordable legal supply adapted to new media: "The EESC is convinced about the need to combat counterfeiting but we question the methods used," he noted.