EBU Legal Director Richard Burnley spoke on a panel during the DG Competition stakeholder conference in Brussels highlighting the preliminary findings of the e-commerce sector inquiry.

Noting the sensitivity of applying competition law in the broadcasting rights markets, he emphasized the effectiveness of the Listed Events legislation in providing EU citizens with what they really want – the best content, tailored to their territory, free-to-air. He called on all countries to introduce lists of major events for free-to-air broadcasting.

Burnley pointed out the reasons why free-to-air content is not subject to the so-called “passive sales” concept under competition law and the importance of territoriality for European broadcasters and rights holders.

The event was opened by the Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, and provided an opportunity to representatives of different stakeholders to put forward their views on the Preliminary Report.

There were two stakeholder panels discussing current competition-related topics as regards e-commerce in consumer goods and digital content. A third panel made up of director generals from a number of national competition authorities discussed online vertical restraints.