Commercial and radio broadcasters have found common ground with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on an exemption for broadcasters from the European Parliament's proposed multi-territorial licensing system,  which is crucial for obtaining blanket licenses for online services.

The position was made public during a hearing of the European Parliament on the Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights, and represents a welcome development towards reaching a viable solution for the specific copyright licensing needs of Europe's broadcasters.

EBU Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank was among a wide range of stakeholders invited by MEP Marielle Gallo to provide their views during a hearing yesterday in Brussels. (Read the Speech)

The diverse comments presented by collective rights management organizations, publishers, online music platforms and artists’ representatives contrast with the general views  expressed by stakeholders in October 2012.

In addition to announcing the agreement with the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) and the Association of European Radio (AER), Ms Frank reiterated other points of note for the EBU membership:

• Collective rights management is crucial for broadcasters. Rules on transparency and good governance are welcome as they will increase efficiency and trust.
• The one-stop-shop licensing model meets the broadcasters’ need for efficient rights clearance and enables the continued use of a culturally diverse repertoire.
• Extended collective licensing and other licensing solutions at national level should remain unaffected.

Against this backdrop, she welcomed the recent Working Document by Mr Gallo, which requests a complete exemption for broadcasters from the multi-territorial licensing system and to maintain national practices, such as extensive collective licensing.

A number of stakeholders, including the French Council for literary and artistic property (CSPLA), the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA), and the Bureau of European Consumers (BEUC) also shared the view that national licensing solutions should be safeguarded.

Online music service representatives presented detailed “wish-lists” of additional governance, accountability and transparency rules for collective rights management organizations. Taking an opposing view, the latter underlined the need to respect the diversity of collective rights management organizations in the European Union, as well as the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. 

The discussions will feed a draft report by Mr Gallo, which can be expected in early May. The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee is then scheduled to vote on the report in July.