MEP Marielle Gallo - © European Union 2013 – EP

A report on the draft Directive on collective rights management unanimously adopted by the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI)  made a step in the right direction for EBU broadcasters by recognizing their licensing needs for online services.

The report, which was presented to the Committee at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (9/7), would principally:

• improve the management of copyright and royalty distribution to authors, artists and performers
• enable collective management organizations to work more efficiently with copyright users such as broadcasters
• facilitate the development of multi-territorial music licensing for online music services such as iTunes and Spotify

EBU Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank said the EBU ‘generally welcomed the report,’ and commended MEP Marielle Gallo, for her role in steering a matter ‘of great complexity’ through the European Parliament.

“The report addresses some key issues for public service media. It seeks to maintain the possibility for broadcasters to obtain a blanket license for the use of music in their offline and online works, which was initially at risk,” Ms Frank said. “This is a step towards ensuring that broadcasters can continue offering attractive online services for audiences. The report also offers guarantees for efficient licensing regimes enacted at national level, such as extended collective licensing.”

Ms Frank added: “This is not the final version of the directive. We hope that some improvement can still be made by Parliament and Council.”

The adoption of the draft concludes the crucial first stage of the EU law-making process following a proposal made by the European Commission in July 2012.

The Parliament will now begin complex negotiations with the Council of Ministers to obtain a final agreement for a Directive, which EU Member States will amalgamate into national law.

The European Parliament plenary is expected to take a final vote in November 2013.