This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Briefing BASIS CNECT/4986'.



Ref. Ares(2015)3099965 - 23/07/2015
Ref. Ares(2016)2741072 - 13/06/2016
Commissioner OETTINGER at the EP Plenary Session, Strasbourg 
9 July 2015 
_________________________________________________________________ 
I. Scene setter 
Participation in the EP plenary debate on copyright, specifically - the EP JURI's report on the 
implementation of the Information Society / Copyright Directive 2001/29 ("Reda report"). 
For DG CONNECT: 
 
For the Cabinet: Bodo LEHMANN 
Estimated duration :  1 hour 
Agenda: 08:30 - 11:50 Debates, 2nd point – expected to start around 09:00: 
"Harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society 
Report: Julia Reda (A8-0209/2015) 
Report on the implementation of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the 
Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights 
in the information society 
[2014/2256(INI)] 
Committee on Legal Affairs" 
Objective(s): 
Their Position: 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Our Position: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Line to Take: 
• The report is a detailed document reflecting the complexities and multiple angles of the
on-going copyright debate, as well as the need to find workable compromises.
• It is an important element for the Commission to take into account when preparing, in the
coming months, its next initiatives on copyright.
• There are similarities between a number of the objectives in the report and those of the
Commission as set out in the Digital Single Market Strategy. Notably, there is
convergence in the recognition of the need for:
o
a targeted intervention to improve the way copyright works in the digital
environment;
o
action in the area of portability and cross-border access to online content services
for consumers, while considering the specificities of different creative sectors;
o
having better and more harmonised copyright exceptions for people with
disabilities, cultural institutions, research and education;
o
reviewing the role of intermediaries as far as their role as distributors of
copyright-protected content is concerned.
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II. Speaking points
Speaking points: 
Introductory statement 
• Thank you very much for this opportunity to open the discussion on copyright and the
Parliament's own initiative report in this field.
• First of all, I would like to congratulate you upon addressing this complex matter at the
very start of the mandate. The Parliament has an important role to play in a debate that is
multifaceted and complex and where many different points of view and interests are
represented.
• I know that the consideration of the report has led to multiple discussions and the tabling
of hundreds of amendments and that intensive negotiation was required in order to arrive
at common positions. I am convinced that this was a necessary process and one that has
resulted in a greater understanding by all political groups of this area of legislation.
• Copyright plays an essential role in sustaining Europe's creativity and the industries
underpinning it. Let's keep in mind that the industries primarily responsible for the
creation and production of copyright-protected works account for approximately 3% of
total employment and 4% of Europe's GDP.
• Copyright, or rather our European rules on the matter, also requires continuous adaptation
in order to ensure that it keeps playing its role, which is, on the one hand, the protection
of creators and cultural industries and, on the other, guaranteeing the widest possible
access and dissemination of works, meaning access to culture, knowledge and education,
including across borders, in the Digital Single Market.
• I have noted many similarities between a number of the objectives in your own initiative
report on copyright and those of the Commission as set out in the Digital Single Market
Strategy.
• Notably, there is convergence in the recognition of the need for:
o
a targeted intervention to improve the way copyright works in the digital
environment;
o
action in the area of portability and cross-border access to online content services
for consumers, while considering the specificities of different creative sectors;
o
having better and more harmonised copyright exceptions for people with
disabilities, cultural institutions, research and education;
o
reviewing the role of intermediaries as far as their role as distributors of
copyright-protected content is concerned.
• The report, as adopted by the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, is a
detailed document reflecting the complexities and multiple angles of the on-going
copyright debate, as well as the need to find workable compromises.
• Already this is an important element for the Commission to take into account when
preparing, in the coming months, its next initiatives on copyright.
• The Commission's ambition is to achieve the right balance between the different interests.
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• On the one hand, citizens and businesses should be able to provide services and have
better access to content across borders; our libraries, universities and researchers should
have more legal certainty when they adapt their activities to the digital environment.
• On the other hand, copyright must remain a key driver for creativity, innovation and
investment in the digital economy, and the whole creative content value chain should
ensure adequate reward for those who create and invest in creativity.
• Going forward, we will all need to work together to achieve this aim and I am looking
forward to an interesting and open debate.
Concluding remarks 
• I would like to thank the European Parliament once again for the priority you are giving
to the DSM files in general, and copyright in particular.
• We must be clear that without adapting our copyright rules to the digital age we will not
have a true digital single market, and that, at the same time, European creative industries'
contribution to growth, jobs, innovation and investment in the digital economy is crucial.
• I have noted your desire to improve the way copyright works while ensuring, at the same
time, that European creators and creative industries benefit from a favourable regulatory
environment and expand their audiences.
• I am confident we will achieve those objectives, starting by the legislative copyright
initiative which the Commission intends to propose by the end of 2015.
Defensives: 
OUT OF SCOPE
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OUT OF SCOPE
2. Scope and terms of protection
What is the Commission's view on the copyright protection of newspaper publishers? 
• We are closely observing the discussions and recent legislative interventions on this issue
in the Member States, notably in Germany and Spain.

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OUT OF SCOPE

 
IV. Attachments 
 
Annexes 
Status of the annex 
 
 
 

Background document "Assessment of the EP JURI (MEP Julia Reda) 
 
report on the implementation of the Information Society / Copyright 
Directive 2001/29, as adopted by JURI on 18 June 2015" 
 
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