33 Film- und audiovisuelle Organisationen haben einen Appell zum nicht-rechtsverbindlichen Inititiativbericht des Europäischen Parlaments zum Thema “Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers” (2021/2043(INI)) veröffentlicht und die Bedeutung der exklusiven, territoriale Lizenzierung betont:
We are reaching out to you on behalf of 33 organisations from the film and audiovisual sector.
The sector is concerned by problematic language with regards to geo-blocking and the audiovisual sector in the IMCO report on “Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the Single Market“ that will be voted on 16 February in plenary. We would urge you to delete this text by supporting the split on §29 and voting + on RCV1 and – on RCV2.
- Takes the view that the adoption and implementation of the Geo-blocking Regulation has been beneficial for consumers in facilitating cross-border purchases; recalls, however, that certain obstacles persist, particularly in the provision of audiovisual services and content, and that this manifests itself in reduced consumer confidence in cross-border online shopping; calls on the Commission, as part of the evaluation report scheduled for 2022, to propose ways to remove unjustified and ineffective geo-blocking and to strive to build a harmonised digital single market;
As outlined in a joint-statement of 30 November 2020 bringing together many stakeholders from the sector, territorial and exclusive licensing of rights are absolutely essential for the film and audiovisual sector to guarantee its creativity, financing and sustainability as well as development of existing and new business models for the benefit of consumers. Legal and business certainty, and regulatory consistency are critical on this matter, as these principles are fundamental to the whole audiovisual industry.
Implying that geo-blocking is unjustified for audiovisual services and content and that they need to be brought in the scope of the geo-blocking regulation runs contrary to previous EP reports and would severely undermine the sustainability of Europe’s audiovisual sector. The European Parliament highlighted this again in its recent report on “Europe’s Media in the Digital Decade: an Action Plan to Support Recovery and Transformation”. Furthermore, a joint statement signed by more than 50 MEPs underlined the need to respect Parliamentary competences on this matter to “adopt a clear line on this issue to avoid resulting abstentions in Plenary votes”.
We would therefore kindly request that you consider supporting the split on §29 and voting + on RCV1 and – on RCV2 in the “Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the Single Market“ Report to reflect the above considerations.
ABBRO – Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters
ACT – Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe
ADEF – Association des Exportateurs de Films
AKTV – Asociace komerčních televizí
ARCA – Asociația Română de Comunicații Audiovizuale
ANICA – Associazione Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche Audiovisive e Digitali
CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association
CICAE – International Confederation of Art Cinemas
CONECTA – Asociación de Canales Temáticos
EBU – European Broadcasting Union
EPC – European Producers Club
Eurocinema – Association de producteurs de cinéma et de télévision
European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity
Europa Distribution – European Network of Independent Film Publishers and Distributors
Europa International – European organization for films international distributors
European VOD Coalition
FERA – Federation of European Screen Directors
FIA – International Federation of Actors
FIAD – International Federation of Film Distributors’ and Publishers’ Associations
FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations
FSE – Federation of Screenwriters in Europe
IFTA – Independent Film & Television Alliance
IVF – International Video Federation
Mediapro
MPA – Motion Picture Association
SAA – Society of Audiovisual Authors
SEDPA – Syndicat des Entreprises de Distribution de Programmes Audiovisuels
SPIO – Spitzenorganisation der Filmwirtschaft e.V.
SROC – Sports Rights Owners’ Coalition
UNIC – International Union of Cinemas
UNI MEI – Global Union – Media, Entertainment & Arts
VAUNET – Verband Privater Medien e.V.
ZPPM Lewiatan – Związek Pracodawców Prywatnych Mediów Lewiatan