EC Opens Public Consultation on Publishers' Role

The European Commission opened a public consultation Wednesday as part of its planned update of EU copyright rules, focusing on the role of publishers in the “copyright value chain.” The public consultation will in part explore whether to extend neighboring rights to publishers, which don’t currently benefit from such rights. Neighboring rights are similar to copyright but pertain only to performances of a copyrighted work by a performer or the production of a copyrighted work. The EC said it’s also consulting on the “panorama exception” -- peoples’ use of images depicting buildings, public monuments and publicly displayed sculptures. Comments on the consultation are due June 15, the EC said. The Computer and Communications Industry Association said it will further analyze the issues involved but praised the EC for “offering this consultation and its willingness to listen to all stakeholders.” European copyright laws “should reflect the symbiotic relationship between publishers, and technology, as well as citizens’ freedom to access information and publish their own material online,” said CCIA Vice President James Waterworth in a news release. “Such an approach will benefit consumers and overall economic growth.”