In front of a public of film directors, writers and producers, who met on 20-22 October at the Rencontres cinématographiques in Dijon, France, a representative of the European Commission said it was "important to change the framework of the cooperation between copyright collection societies". It is true of online music but also of audiovisual content on the internet – both of which will soon be the object of legislative proposals.

Currently, online exhibitors of copyright content (such as Spotify for music) have to negotiate "country by country" with national collective management societies. "It is important to change the framework so that copyright collection societies cooperate among themselves and make joint proposals to internet operators," said Kerstin Jorna, deputy chief of cabinet of the Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Michel Barnier.

Jorna announced legislative proposals for the start of 2012 to "facilitate negotiations and rebalance the powers".

"The creation of an EU framework and centralised patents will strongly stimulate the demand for cultural goods protected throughout Europe," said the Commission in its communication on intellectual properly, issued on 24 May.

The European audiovisual sector had highlighted the difference with music, given, namely, the number of actors and intermediaries necessary to make and distribute a film. But this did not prevent the Commission from stating, in its consultation on audiovisual works – which opened in July and will close on 18 November – that the national rules of distribution and protection of copyright also prevent the circulation of films and videos on demand in Europe.

(Source: www.europolitics.info)