Commission and Parliament compromise on information society copyrighting
The European Parliament approved a number of amendments to the Council's common position on the harmonisation of copyright in the information society on 14 February. Under the text, authors, performers, producers and broadcasting organisations will in principle enjoy exclusive rights regarding the reproduction, communication and dissemination of their work. Temporary acts of reproduction will however be allowed where they are transient or incidental and form an integral and essential part of a technological process. 'I am delighted that the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to endorse compromise amendments to the EU copyright Directive that reflect the delicate balance of interests catered for in the Council's Common Position,' commented Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein following the Parliament's vote. 'The Parliament's vote today should help to ensure the rapid adoption of this important measure to bring European copyright rules into the digital age, as requested by the EU's Heads of State and Government at the Lisbon Summit. The rapid implementation of the Directive will facilitate the development of electronic commerce and so increase the competitiveness of the European economy,' he continued.