While aiming at better access to online music in Europe ,the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament adopted a new directive on collective management of copyright and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online use in the single market. The Directive was published on 20 March 2014 in the EU Official Journal. It entered into force on 9 April 2014 and Members States have to transpose the Directive into domestic law by 10 April 2016 at the latest.
The directive:
At this time, a lot of websites forbid consumers to download music or eBooks if they don’t live in the country where the website is based. This is legal. Protection of an author’s rights is often given as a reason. This is the case for La Fnac or Amazon. This situation hinders the realization of a real single market. The aim of the directive is to improve management of copyright and cross-border licensing of online music. Online retailers and music streaming services won’t have to obtain a copyright license in every EU member state. With this new legal framework, they will be able to get them from collective management organizations which work across borders.  Concerning authors, it will ensure that their rights are better protected and their royalties paid more quickly. (suite…)

Marie-Elise Tournier