July 20, 2016

In addition to the letter from performers to the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker (see item under “Music” sub-heading), the Commission has also received a letter from 1000 authors and creators from all artistic sectors, seeking action in relation to the use of their rights online.  This latest letter, signed by some of Europe’s most important cultural exporters and influencers, urges the Commission to find quickly a real solution to enable a fair sharing of value on the internet.

The letter states that internet “giants” argue that copyright obligations do not apply to them and hide behind “safe harbour” exemptions to avoid paying creators and rights holders fairly.  The letter makes clear that it is not just major pop stars or the music sector at large that is under threat, but the entire creative ecosystem made up of composers, authors, directors, screenwriters, photographers, sculptors, painters, etc.

The dominant online platforms are “built on user uploaded or aggregated content that don’t or only barely provide remuneration for our work” the letter says, warning that, “this pulls the entire market value of creative works down in a never ending race to the bottom”.

The letter has been signed by over 1000 creators.  A delegation of the signatories has asked for a meeting with President Juncker to give their views in person before it is too late, in order to ensure that the forthcoming legislative proposal takes their grievances into account.  To read the authorsocieties.eu’s press release and to access the letter, click here.