EDRi’s answer to the EC consultation on the review of EU copyright rules

On 5 December 2013, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the review of the EU copyright rules. The public consultation is part of the European Commission’s effort to review and modernise copyright rules in the EU and to adapt the current system to the digital age. In order to facilitate the answers from citizens, EDRi and twelve other organisations have put together an answering guide available here. You have until midnight to give your opinion to the European Commission !

The 2001/29/EC Directive has failed to harmonise copyright and the EU is facing a mosaic of 28 copyright legislations that are creating barriers to achieve a digital single market. Citizens are facing territorial restrictions, legal uncertainty regarding what is allowed and what is not. The system is not adapted to technological changes, restricting the possibility for new services to provide citizens with greater choice and better services across borders.

The copyright rules urgently need to be harmonised and to offer flexibility and adaptability to an ever-changing digital environment. For a long time, EDRi has been advocating for this harmonisation.

You can find EDRi’s answer here.

You can also check EDRi’s booklet on copyright which explains the challenges of the digital age in detail.