Over 200 trade bodies representing the likes of publishers, authors, composers, songwriters and music companies issued an open letter today (March 11) urging the European Parliament to adopt the Copyright Directive in the Digital Single Market.
The European Parliament will vote on whether or not to legislate the Directive, including the Article 13 provision, during the last week of March.
The 232 signatories include organizations such as independent music companies association IMPALA, the UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM), BUMA (Dutch Collecting Society for Music Works), CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) and many others.
Today’s letter comes nearly a month after the final Copyright Directive text was agreed and ‘trilogue’ phase of talks concluded .
The agreement of the text was seen as a major step toward the final adoption of the bill and organizations from across the cultural and creative sector have been vocal in their support, with the the last letter urging European lawmakers to adopt the bill published on February 20.
“This Directive has been long sought to create a much-needed level playing field for all actors of the creative sector in the European Digital Single Market, whilst giving citizens better access to a wider array of content,” says today’s letter.
You can read the letter in full below. A full list of signatories can be found here.
TIME TO ADOPT THE COPYRIGHT DIRECTIVE
We, the undersigned organisations, representing authors, composers, writers, journalists, performers and others working in all artistic fields, news agencies, book, press and music publishers, audiovisual and independent music producers call on the European Parliament to adopt the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
“This Directive has been long sought to create a much-needed level playing field for all actors of the creative sector in the European Digital Single Market, whilst giving citizens better access to a wider array of content.”
This Directive has been long sought to create a much-needed level playing field for all actors of the creative sector in the European Digital Single Market, whilst giving citizens better access to a wider array of content.
This is a historical opportunity. We need an internet that is fair and sustainable for all. This is why we urge policymakers to adopt the Directive quickly, as agreed in trilogue negotiations.Music Business Worldwide
