EU Policy Affairs

ECSA is active on a broad range of EU policy issues. You will find in this section position papers highlighting our views on the review of the EU framework for copyright, collective management of rights, fair remuneration for music creators in the digital age, user generated-content, private copying levy and the status of music creators in today’s society.

Review of the EU framework for copyright

The European Commission has launched a review of the EU framework for copyright. A legislative proposal on a draft copyright directive was released on 14 September 2016.

2016 draft copyright directive- ECSA viewpoint – December 2016

Authors’ Group declaration “Towards a modern, more European copyright framework and the necessity of fair contracts for creators” – May 2016

Authors’ Group statement on EC Communication ‘Towards a modern, more European copyright framework’ – December 2015

London declaration on the EU Digital Single Market and Fair Music Value Chain – October 2015

ECSA position paper on the review of the EU copyright acquis – What Music Creators Want – March 2015

Collective management of rights

In February 2014, Directive 2014/26/EU on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online use in the internal market was adopted. Member States have two years to transpose the Directive.

ECSA comments on EC proposal for a directive on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for the online uses in the internal market – December 2012

ECSA declaration supporting exclusive assignment of the performing right – February 2012

Position paper on governance/transparency standards of collecting societies – January 2012

Position paper on collective rights management – November 2010

Resolution on the management of authors’ rights – June 2010

Fair remuneration for music creators in the digital age

ECSA position paper on fair remuneration for authors in the digital age – January 2015

Extract of joint ECSA-FACDIM resolution on the role of music creators in today’s society – December 2014

For additional background information, see also the study on “Contractual arrangements applicable to creators: law and practice of selected Member States” published by the European Parliament in February 2014 and the study commissioned by the Songwriters Association of Canada and released in October 2014.

ECSA/EFJ/FERA/FSE/EVA/IAF/Pyramide joint statement against coercive contractual practices – April 2012

User-generated content

Authors’ Group letter on UGC exception – March 2017

ECSA presentation on UGC, content attribution and moral rights – March 2013

Private copying levy

Authors’ and performers’ organisations joint statement on MEP Castex report on Private Copying – February 2014

The status of music creators in today’s society

Joint ECSA-FACDIM recommendation of July 2015 on the status of composers, songwriters, authors and creators of every form of music regarding the current lack of recognition of their role in culture and society and the discrimination, lack of equal opportunities and transparency in decision-making processes to which they are subjected.