News

GESAC, the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers, welcomes the decision made by Europe’s trade ministers on Friday to exclude the audiovisual sector from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership’s negotiating mandate.

The landmark move is in line with the wishes of the European Parliament. At a vote among democratically-elected Members of the European Parliament on 23 May this year, some 381 of those present voted in favour of excluding the cultural and creative industries from the potential deal. Some 191 voted against and 17 abstained.

The European Council and European Parliament’s stance in favor of the cultural exception demonstrates their commitment to a strong, creative Europe. Their common position is now clear: “audiovisual services will not be covered”.

In view of the upcoming Directive on Collective Rights Management, 16 European Collective Management Organisations expressed their wish to explore the possibility of creating a licensing and administrative vehicle for the online and mobile market in Europe.

The European Commission’s proposed Directive on Collective Rights Management will have a significant impact on the way authors’ societies will conduct their business. In order to be able to continue to serve their members effectively, and to defend local repertoires and the important role of smaller and  medium sized   collecting  societies  in  the  European  context,  several Collective Management Organisations shared their experiences and insights.

Having met in Amsterdam in May and in Washington DC in early June 2013, these organizations expressed their intention to work together to research the possibility for a vehicle for licensing and administration of rights for the online and mobile environment.

Their vision is to create an efficient, cooperative, multi-­‐territorial, multi-­‐ repertoire  licensing  and  administrative  vehicle  for  the  online  and  mobile market  in  Europe. This  in  order  to  enhancethe  value  for  local  repertoire around  Europe,  safeguard  cultural  diversity  and  reduce  complexity  and processing cost for both rights holders and Music Service Providers

The possibility will be explored for the creation of an efficient, cost-­‐effective licensing and administrative vehicle with the purpose to secure and build value for local repertoire around Europe and reduce complexity for their customers on the basis of: