MEPs support artists and musicians
The European Parliament voted to strengthen provision relating to the right of entertainers and film distributors after discussing the issue of Copyright and the Internet on the morning of 10 February. The voting showed strong support for the approach of Italian MEP Roberto Barzanti to the copyright question in the new digital era and approved amendments from the Legal Committee designed to strengthen the position of copyright holders, especially artists and musicians. The reason for this vote was a Commission proposal to extend copyright protection to new forms of technology in the digital area such as CD-ROMs and the Internet. Mr Barzanti made it clear during a parliamentary session on 9 February that he wanted to strengthen provision relating to the right of entertainers and film distributors. The Legal Affairs Committee was proposing to amend the Commission's proposed exemptions that would allow Member States to permit private copying for personal use of CDs, tapes and videos. The amendment would add the proviso "on condition that the right holders receive fair compensation". This proviso was supported during the voting on 10 February. On the other controversial issue of how to control pirating of recordings and written materials on the Internet, Parliament also approved an amendment from the Legal Affairs Committee stipulating that private copying should be authorised by the writers "or permitted by law and must have no economic significance for the right holders." As far as exemptions of the copyright provisions for libraries and other educational institutions are concerned, Parliament approved an amendment designed to allow the Member States flexibility on this point where copying is not for "indirect, economic or commercial advantage." The amended First Reading proposal now goes to the European Council.