Laws on the distribution of content online

In 2008, the European Commission adopted a policy paper on creative content online - building on a 2006 consultation process and launching further measures to support the cross-border delivery of online content.

The Communication launched the 2008 consultation process and identified 4 main areas requiring EU action:

• availability of creative content – if online content services are to develop, more good content is needed, actively licensed and accurately priced for use via the new platforms.
• multi-territory licensing of creative content - the lack of multi-country copyright licences makes it difficult for online content to fully benefit from potential access to the entire EU market.
• digital rights management systems (DRMs) – these technologies, often used to restrict access to high-value content (e.g. sports and movies), need to be made more interoperable, i.e. designed to work with all types of hard- and software.
• piracy / unauthorized file-sharing - cooperation is needed between service providers, producers and consumers, to:

  - ensure an adequate online supply of easily available and attractive content

  - adequately protect copyrighted works

  - raise awareness that copyright secures a legitimate reward for producers.

Source: European Commission