Commission copyright announcements - Make it a package (Sharon Bowles MEP)

Sharon Bowles MEP <info@sharonbowles.org.uk>

Commission copyright announcements - Make it a package

February 14, 2008 12:40 PM

Commenting on EU Commissioner McCreevy's surprise announcements that he will extend the performing artists' copyright term from 50 to 95 years and launch a new consultation on copyright levies, Sharon Bowles MEP, Liberal Democrat European Spokesperson on IPR, said "I raised the matter of levies with the Commissioner again in December so I am delighted he is launching a new consultation. It is interesting that at the same time he announced extending the copyright term. This makes a much more attractive package if the two are eventually put together."

"Copyright levies are tantamount to a hidden tax because in many countries it is added to the price of electronic goods, such as computers, ipods and mobile phones on the presumption that they will be used to create multiple personal copies of copyright works. Nowadays there is technology that can ensure copyright owners can get fair royalties, so levies are outdated."

The money raised does not all go to copyright holders it is also used by collection societies for supporting cultural works and for this reason many resist it being removed.

"However the extension of copyright provides more income, including a significant percentage for collection societies, so with that there is less need for a levy" said Sharon Bowles.

Sharon went on to say "If levies are to stay it is quite clear that consumers have the right to know what the levy is and how it is spent. What percentage goes towards the copyright holders and how much goes to cultural works? I have no objections to support of cultural works but it should not be done as a hidden tax. That is a simple matter of transparency. The public may also want to question whether it should be a matter of general taxation and not a goods levy. For the producers of goods it is also costly dealing with many different rates and regimes, removing the benefits of a single market. Let us hope that the Commissioner has maybe found a key to unlock the problem."

ENDS

Note: The UK does not impose copyright levies, but it still affects UK businesses selling across the EU.