[P2P-F] Fwd: [opennetcoalition] Copyright Reform: The European Parliament Must Follow the Reda Report!

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <contact at laquadrature.net>
Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2015 at 5:54 PM
Subject: [opennetcoalition] Copyright Reform: The European Parliament Must
Follow the Reda Report!
To: opennetcoalition at laquadrature.net


Themes: COPYRIGHT REFORM, JULIA REDA, CREATIVE CONTRIBUTION, ANDRUS ANSIP,
GUNTER OETTINGER

La Quadrature du Net – For immediate release

Permanent link:
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/copyright-reform-the-european-parliament-must-follow-the-reda-report


Copyright Reform: The European Parliament Must Follow the Reda Report!



*** Paris, January 26, 2015 — Yesterday, MEP Julia Reda [1] presented in
the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI [2]) of the European Parliament a
report [3] on the harmonization of copyright in Europe. She tables modest
but welcome proposals for a reform of copyright, several of which have been
supported [4] by La Quadrature du Net. ***

Noting that many problems remain in the harmonization at European level,
and the failure of the current Directive to address users' needs and
practices, the German MEP Julia Reda (Greens/EFA) proposes to act on
different levers to strengthen user rights. Her report especially
encourages the promotion of the Public Domain, bringing down copyright term
from 70 to 50 years after the author's death. She also asks for all
exceptions to copyright contained in the current Directive to become
mandatory, so that no EU citizen can be deprived of their benefit by a too
restrictive national legislation.

To free up innovative uses, Julia Reda proposes to extend some of the
existing exceptions. Regarding the right to remix, mashup and other
transformative uses, she calls for making the exception of citation
applicable in the audiovisual field, and to admit the parody exception for
non-humorous creations. In the area of research and teaching, Julia Reda
proposes to expand the currently existing educational exception and to
introduce a new exception for data mining (Text and Data Mining). She also
encourages libraries to make works available in digital form, as an
extension of their traditional mission of providing access to culture.

On the contrary to what is already supported by the proponents of a
maximalist view of copyright, these proposals do not aim to "destroy
copyright." Instead, Julia Reda recalls in the preamble to her report the
importance of recognizing protection for the benefit of creators, and the
possibility for them to receive appropriate remuneration, even calling to
strengthen their position against intermediaries like producers and
publishers.

La Quadrature du Net welcomes these proposals, most of which are in the
agenda of a positive reform of copyright defended [5] by the association
since the rejection of ACTA. However, it is very unfortunate that the issue
of legalising non-commercial sharing between individuals was ignored. This
is not only essential to the recognition of new rights of individuals over
culture, but it also remains the best way to end the repressive spiral in
which most EU countries are committed under the lobbying of cultural
industries.

Save the aforementioned hesitation, La Quadrature du Net invites citizens
to support and comment [6] on the proposals in the Reda report and call
MEPs from the European Parliament committees to vote in the proposed
direction. The debate before the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) will
take place on February 23 and 24, 2015 and a final vote in the plenary
session is scheduled on April 20, 2015. Citizens, professional and amateur
authors and artists, entrepreneurs, researchers, teachers, librarians have
an common interest in the adoption of such a positive reform!

"It is time to measure the scope of the new uses allowed by the digital
tools and to adapt copyright accordingly. The proposals of the Reda report
will have a positive economic impact on creativity, and will boost
research, education and access to culture. They must be supported as the
first step in a positive reform of the European copyright!" Said Lionel
Maurel, member of the Strategic Orientation Council of La Quadrature du Net.


* References *

1. http://parltrack.euwiki.org/mep/Julia%20REDA
2. http://parltrack.euwiki.org/committee/JURI
3.
https://juliareda.eu/2015/01/report-eu-copyright-rules-maladapted-to-the-web/
4.
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/elements-for-the-reform-of-copyright-and-related-cultural-policies
5.
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/elements-for-the-reform-of-copyright-and-related-cultural-policies
6. https://www.discuto.io/en/consultation/6240


** About La Quadrature du Net **


La Quadrature du Net is an advocacy group that defends the rights and
freedoms of citizens on the Internet. More specifically, it advocates for
the adaptation of French and European legislations to respect the founding
principles of the Internet, most notably the free circulation of knowledge.

In addition to its advocacy work, the group also aims to foster a better
understanding of legislative processes among citizens. Through specific and
pertinent information and tools, La Quadrature du Net hopes to encourage
citizens' participation in the public debate on rights and freedoms in the
digital age.

La Quadrature du Net is supported by French, European and international
NGOs including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Open Society
Institute and Privacy International.

List of supporting organisations:
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/they-support-la-quadrature-du-net


** Press contact and press room **

contact at laquadrature.net, +33 (0)972 294 426

https://www.laquadrature.net/en/press-room




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