Press release: The European Parliament delays the adoption of the Copyright Directive

The vote not only undermines months of intense work and negotiations by the members of the Legal Affairs Committee, it also sends a strange signal about Europe's ability to define a favourable legal framework for authors’ rights in the digital era before the election of a new European Parliament.

SAA and more than 18,100 signatories of the petition support the introduction of a very much needed new article establishing a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers from the exploitation of their works, including online (new Article 13c). It is therefore crucial that the European Parliament’s plenary confirms this provision when looking into the report by the Legal Affairs’ Committee in September.

As many studies have shown, European screenwriters and directors are today the weakest link in terms of remuneration. The European Parliament should not forsake the opportunity to reverse the trend and set the scene for tomorrow’s European creation. Otherwise authors will never benefit from the ever growing on-demand exploitation of their works.

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“It is very disappointing that a majority of Members of the European Parliament gave in to the aggressive pressure put on them by digital platforms and the opponents to copyright instead of listening to European authors. This will only delay much needed rules for authors whose earnings are weakened in the digital era.” said Cécile Despringre, SAA Executive Director.

Notes to Editors

SAA - The Society of Audiovisual Authors is the association of European collective management organisations representing audiovisual authors. Its 32 members in 24 countries manage rights for over 138,000 film, television and multimedia European screenwriters and directors. @saabrussels

Press: Annica Ryngbeck, a.ryngbeck@saa-authors.eu +32 475 66 95 94.