ICMP and the European Union

There are current disparities in the EU regarding the term of protection for co-written works – some countries compute the term separately for each element of the work, while others treat it as one. This means individual parts of a co-written work fall into the public domain at different times. The Commission proposal, which harmonises copyright term for co-written works, is a technical adjustment that will further the creation of a single EU market and bring the rules in line with those governing audio-visual works.

ICMP welcomes the Commission Green Paper on Culture and Creative Industries (CCIs) and supports the European Commission’s commitment to create a truly stimulating creative environment for CCIs in the EU.

The European Commission’s decision in the CISAC case (July 2008) broadly supports rightsholders choice and is consistent with the 2005 Recommendation. It will facilitate the licensing process to the benefit of users and rightsholders and improve efficiency and transparency in copyright administration. Moreover, in deciding not to fine Collecting Societies, the Commission accepted that society funds were the rightsholders’ property.