Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
CETA: fight against copyright violations no longer an issue
The Montreal daily La Presse has published secret documents about the negotiations on a trade agreement between Europe and Canada. According to a release of the EU Commission to the Council of Ministers in October both sides are thus largely in agreement in terms of copyright and copyright enforcement - be taken cross searchings of customs officials to "piracy".
From the paper shows that the criminal provisions to prosecute copyright infringement is no longer part of the planned "Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement" (CETA) are. After the European Parliament rejected the anti-piracy agreement ACTA, the text was changed. Overall, the requirements in the field of Intellectual Property Rights were mainly from Brussels. Canada's little desire in this area, such as, intensify the campaign against the filming of works on the big screen, are presented as pure "negotiation coins".
What arrangements should be for copyright protection is part of the agreement, from the file to indicate. In a public information leaflet of the European Commission in August is read that an effective and modern copyright regime was essential for the protection of creative materials such as music or literary works. Such trade agreements with South Korea about demand, among other things, control systems for digital rights management (DRM) and associated therewith, such as digital watermarking technology to protect legally. At the same time the concept of "commercial scale" of violations is rather broad.
There is still no agreement on the protection of patents and geographical indications. The latter are not unknown in Canada, at least not for wine and spirits. Ottawa has now also accepted to consider protected geographical indications for all food and an open list to be considered. Brussels has already forged ahead with a proposal , which includes, among other Black Forest ham, Nuremberg sausages or Gorgonzola.
In the patent system, it is, according to a progress report of the Commission's November mainly to the pharmaceutical industry. Other open issues are general rules for access to finance, procurement, transportation, or the auto market. The protection of traditional cultural property and employment rights are still being discussed. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht emphasized last week that there had been "significant progress" but some important sites are to plow. In the near future he would take it again with Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast
EU Parliament wants more attractive online offers from TV and movies
The European Parliament adopted by a large majority suggestions for promoting the online distribution of audiovisual works such as TV or movies. The deputies were responding to a draft report of the French conservatives Jean-Marie Cavada on the Green Paper (PDF File). The EU Commission on the opportunities and challenges for the digital single market in this area MEPs therefore consider it necessary above all, "the legal tender in terms of quality and quantity to make it more attractive and up to date." In addition, the online availability of cinematic works is to improve both in its original version with subtitles and in all official EU languages.
The desired development of a "rich and diversified legal supply of audiovisual content" is especially to reach through "flexible recovery window," notes the Parliament. The present system of delayed publication of content should not "be used as a means of blocking the online exploitation to the detriment of small producers and traders." On the other hand, are rights holders but more free to decide "at what time they want to offer their products on different platforms."
The resolution emphasizes that the suppliers had to provide for the distribution of audiovisual works on digital platforms "for flexibility and interoperability," in order to expand the legitimate online services, "according to the market demand." The cross-border access to content from other Member States is to promote, at the same time ensuring compliance with copyright. For legitimate sites should alternative and innovative micro-payment systems are developed to facilitate the use for the consumer. By way of example, the report cites a statement by SMS or app. Ideally, "direct payments to owners" be included
MEPs stress the importance of net neutrality, "to ensure equal access to high-speed networks." The backup of the open Internet is the quality of legitimate audiovisual online services vital. You see, the Commission has a duty to work to ensure that Europe's digital businesses pick geographical restrictions like blocking IP addresses throughout the Union, and allow consumers to purchase digital services from outside their home Member State.
The Brussels government institution shall also submit a legislative proposal for the collective management of copyright, which aims to improve the accountability, transparency and good governance of collecting societies, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms. The licensing system should also be designed in the music sector clearer and simpler. The command also recalls the need to "equitable remuneration of right holders for the online distribution of audiovisual content to ensure". She therefore calls on the Member States to "buy-out contracts that are contrary to this principle to ban".
Parallel urge the parliamentarians to a tougher crackdown on illegal downloads and streaming platforms. Need is for resources that could prevent use of payment systems and the financing of such services through advertising. The MPs also express "a smarter online copyright enforcement" into play. It must respect fundamental rights, in particular the information and freedom of expression, protection of personal data and the right to privacy, to be fully observed. Conceivable other European and national public awareness campaigns, "aims to raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights and to learn about the available legal online distribution channels for audiovisual works" are. Crowdfunding is seen as a possible new financing in the short term but could probably not a replacement for traditional methods.
For urgently needed to keep the politicians in a discussion about the problem of the different VAT rates in the Member States and the resulting "concerted" action. The application of a reduced VAT rate for the digital distribution of cultural goods and services should be considered in order to eliminate the unequal treatment of online and offline services. On the outside of the internet and selling cultural works the same tax rate would be applied.
EU Parliament adopts new standardization rules
The European standardization will officially arrive with some delay in the Internet age. For the European Parliament on Tuesday voted by a large majority of changes to a draft of the European Commission for a revision of the European standardization and regulation related guidelines. According to the new version can continue under certain conditions as specifications in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are not of standards organizations such as the DIN (German Institute for Standardization), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ETSI (European Institute Telecommunications Standards) come to be recognized as equal international standards.
The report of the conservative Italian MPs Lara Comi was adopted with 639 votes to 18 with 17 abstentions. It says now, could decide after consulting the European standardization organizations and relevant stakeholders support, making reference to any specifications regarding Such standards may then be used in public procurement by public authorities. This requires that the specification "on the basis of cooperation and consensus" was compiled and not favor any particular interest group.
The rules recognize that in addition to national, European and international standards organizations and fora and consortia develop technical specifications. This refers to such standards or Web formats such as HTML, which are adopted by international bodies such as the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) or the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). Such specifications are according to the report "useful in situations for which there are no standards." Especially due to the international dimension of such consortia were opened in this way non-EU markets. In addition, technical barriers to trade would be kept within limits. Europe should promote contacts between the standardization organizations and forums such. It is however important to ensure is that "no competing standardization system".
Stumbling block was previously that the reform also be socially acceptable standards that are considered difficult to reconcile with free software. Were recognized as specifications that are licensed under so-called FRAND terms (Fair, Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory) had criticized as the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII). So even could of "patent cartels" promoted standards are approved. The FFII calls so that MPs actually commit the use of free and open standards, which also potentially contained patents would be made irrevocably available with remuneration. The Parliament member states now have opened the way on their own according to stringent specifications as set up for data formats for e-government.
The work of the national and European standardization organizations should also be put on a broader level and transparent. This will have to make an online "easy to-use mechanism for consultation of all relevant stakeholders to submit comments on draft standards" available and organize "virtual meetings". In particular, an "appropriate representation and participation" of authorities, SMEs, consumer advocates and civil society groups must be ensured. In addition to summaries of standards are available for free on the Web.
The EU gets a Computer Emergency Response Team
The European Union is making its Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-EU) to the permanent establishment. The EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes announced via Twitter, even before the staff of the existing pilot project got wind of it. The Emergency Response Team is responsible for the security of all networks of the EU institutions, including the European Court of Justice and the Central Bank.
Labour got the cert on several occasions, such as the one hand because of the controversy over the anti-Couterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was launched by hackers attacks on the EU websites or data intrusions by Chinese hackers greedy. The biggest threat to EU networks are hacker attacks. Their methods and tools are a "challenge for all major organizations worldwide." The cooperation of the international CERTs is therefore crucial. This should help the EU CERT crucial.
However, the CERT-EU only a very limited service 'opening times: 09-17:00, Monday to Friday, "it says in the official brochure . Only during this time apparently only the e-mail input is monitored. In addition, the future two of the previous 10 employees no longer on the team, including the expert of European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). Gravelli assured to inquiries, that there would be a successor for the departing employee. When asked about the "opening times" so he did not firmly: "CERT EU will strengthen its resources based on the needs," he explained simply.
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