German creators meet Commissioner Oettinger at Berlinale

“The European cultural economy can’t exist without creators” says Commissioner as he hears German creators’ views on future European authors’ rights reform.

SAA patrons, Jochen Greve and Fred Breinersdorfer, whose latest film was being premiered at the festival, were among the delegation who met Commissioner Oettinger on 9 February on the occasion of the Berlinale.  The issue of fair remuneration for creators, their contracts and the digital availability of their works were all on the agenda.

See the original press release here.

SAA patrons, Jochen Greve and Fred Breinersdorfer, whose latest film was being premiered at the festival, were among the delegation who met Commissioner Oettinger on 9 February on the occasion of the Berlinale.  The issue of fair remuneration for creators, their contracts and the digital availability of their works were all on the agenda.

Jochen Greve called creativity “the oil of the 21st century” as the group underlined the importance of creators who are at the beginning of value chains that create 7 million jobs in the EU.  Any change to European and national authors’ rights must ensure good working conditions and fair and continued remuneration for authors.  They also called for the strengthening of collective management organisations as part of helping Europe promote its cultural diversity in a globalised world.

Participants:

EU Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for Digital Economy & Society at European Commission

Susanne Ding, Policy Officer European Commission, Government Administration / DG Connect

Anna Herold, Member of Cabinet, Günther H. Oettinger

Elisabeth Kotthaus, European Commission representation in Germany

Prof. Dr. Fred Breinersdorfer, Screenwriter, producer, lawyer

Klaus Doldinger, Composer

Jochen Greve, Screenwriter, Co-founder and board member of DAfF

Carolin Otto, Screenwriter, director, board member of FSE

Prof. Klaus Staeck, Graphic artist, President of the Academy of the Arts

Frank Michael Zeidler, Artist

Maria Köpf, Producer, board member German Film Academy

Dr. Urban Pappi, CEO of VG Bild/Kunst

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Pfennig, Spokesperson for Initiative Urheberrecht

Dr. Robert Staats, CEO of VG Wort

Katharina Uppenbrink, Gf. Initiative Urheberrecht