The EU Council voted to adopt the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market today (April 15), with 19 member states voting yes, six against and three abstaining.
This latest development marks the final hurdle in the legislative process after Members of European Parliament (MEPs) voted to adopt the Directive last month, with 348 votes in favour, 274 against and 36 abstentions.
Member states now have two years to implement the Directive on a national level.
The Directive includes the controversial Article 13 provision (renamed Article 17), which aims to make the likes of YouTube and Facebook liable for copyright-infringing user uploaded material.
Various other reforms are also included in the text, including a new right for newspaper publishers and new exceptions to allow text and data mining.
“By adopting this landmark text, the EU has proved itself a leader in terms of delivering a fair, open and sustainable internet.”
IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith said: “It was a long road and we would like to thank everyone who contributed to the discussion.
“As a result, we now have a balanced text that sets a precedent for the rest of the world to follow, by putting citizens and creators at the heart of the reform and introducing clear rules for online platforms”.
“By adopting this landmark text, the EU has proved itself a leader in terms of delivering a fair, open and sustainable internet. This text clarifies the position of platforms, building on European case law. It is a first of its kind, and sets an example for other countries across the globe.”
“The directive now has to be implemented nationally, and we look forward to continuing the discussion locally with our members and all interested stakeholders.”Music Business Worldwide
