EU Parliament passes copyright term extension, rejects proposal to give the addition funds to artists

Glyn sez,

Against widespread dissent and controversy MEPs in the European Parliament voted this morning to allow copyright term extension to pass a first reading.

4 out of the 7 main groups (ALDE, GREENS/EFA, NGL, IND/ DEM) together with a cross party platform of MEPs voted to reject the proposal. Internal opposition threatened the group positions of the two largest parties (PSE and EPP) as several national delegations and key MEPS also joined the fight to reject. We understand that, in total, 222 voted in favour of rejection, 370 against. The final vote was 317 in favour, 178 against, 37 abstentions. A key amendment to ensure benefits accrued only to performers was also rejected.

The proposal now moves forward to the Council of Ministers where it is currently blocked by member states. The fundamental problems remain: how to include a workable use-it-or-lose it clause; agreeing to deliver real benefits to the vast majority of performers; how to avoid breaking the respect necessary for a functioning IP system by simply taking money from the pockets of consumers.

Discussions on the proposal will be held in the Council of Ministers and you can find out how to contact your government's relevant IP body here. (We understand the blocking minority is currently made up of Slovenia, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Romania).

Parliament buckles: copyright extension goes through to Council of Ministers

[#1 posted by Anonymous, April 23, 2009 9:19 AM]

The fundamental problems remain: how to include a workable use-it-or-lose it clause; agreeing to deliver real benefits to the vast majority of performers; how to avoid breaking the respect necessary for a functioning IP system by simply taking money from the pockets of consumers.

Well in principle, the first two are easy to accomplish. Just do what the U.S. did when it passed the 1909 copyrigh act. Make the extra years available only upon explicit renewal, and only to the original author (or hisor her heirs). Of course in principle, losing weight is easy, just eat better and exercise more. In practice if the will isn't there....

[#2 posted by samtotherescue, April 23, 2009 9:27 AM]

*sigh* how much longer must we all be criminalised for participating in modern culture before the old ways crumble?

[#3 posted by Church, April 23, 2009 9:46 AM]

Parliament robs citizens, passes loot along to industry. Film at never.

[#4 posted by toyg, April 23, 2009 10:28 AM]

So, next time somebody pulls the usual line about copyright being there to save the starving artists, you can now say "oh yeah? that's not what the industry is pushing through EU parliament right now. They are using you, buddy."

[#5 posted by mannakiosk, April 23, 2009 12:33 PM]

Let's just tear this whole copyright bs the fuck down.

We have the means to bless mankind with free information, knowledge and culture, ffs!

We would need to make sure artists (and other, working on movies, for example) are still able to do what they like doing.

I'm sure we could scrape together enough food and shelter and whatever it takes for music and movies to be made, we are all ready paying for everything as it is now. It's just that we also line the pockets of those obsolete bloodsucking middlemen executive mf:s.

[#6 posted by rapemyskull, April 23, 2009 4:34 PM]

"free information, knowledge and culture...?" oh no, thats communist talk. you dont want glenn beck to hear you uttering this un-american pinko propaganda.

[#7 posted by Anonymous, April 24, 2009 1:09 AM]

Giving nothing to the people who create it....

Who're the pirates now?