The European Commission has unveiled proposals surrounding the introduction of a Digital Single Market across the European Union.
According to the commission, part of these new plans will reform copyright legislation allowing consumers to access digital content such as music regardless of which EU country they are in.
Legislation, expected to be unveiled in spring 2017, will introduce cross-border portability. This means music lovers will be able to listen to music streaming services such as Spotify purchased in their home country in all 28 EU member states.
Andrus Ansip, vice-president for the Digital Single Market, said: ‘Seven months ago, we promised fast delivery of the Digital Single Market. Today we present our first proposals.
‘We want to ensure the portability of content across borders. People who legally buy content – films, books, football matches, TV series – must be able to carry it with them anywhere they go in Europe. This is a real change, similar to what we did to end roaming charges. Today, we also set out our vision for a modern copyright regime in the EU -0 and the gradual steps to achieve it. Our aim is to widen people's access to cultural content online and support creators. We want to strengthen European R&D, using technologies like text and data mining. The Digital Single Market is the blueprint for Europe claiming its place in the digital era, today we start making it a reality.’
The commission has also proposed new rules to improve the protection of European consumers when shopping online and to help businesses sell across borders.
MEP Vicky Ford, chair of Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, recently gave us her insight into the challenges and opportunities created by the Digital Single Market.
Read the full interview.
According to the commission, part of these new plans will reform copyright legislation allowing consumers to access digital content such as music regardless of which EU country they are in.
Legislation, expected to be unveiled in spring 2017, will introduce cross-border portability. This means music lovers will be able to listen to music streaming services such as Spotify purchased in their home country in all 28 EU member states.
Andrus Ansip, vice-president for the Digital Single Market, said: ‘Seven months ago, we promised fast delivery of the Digital Single Market. Today we present our first proposals.
‘We want to ensure the portability of content across borders. People who legally buy content – films, books, football matches, TV series – must be able to carry it with them anywhere they go in Europe. This is a real change, similar to what we did to end roaming charges. Today, we also set out our vision for a modern copyright regime in the EU -0 and the gradual steps to achieve it. Our aim is to widen people's access to cultural content online and support creators. We want to strengthen European R&D, using technologies like text and data mining. The Digital Single Market is the blueprint for Europe claiming its place in the digital era, today we start making it a reality.’
The commission has also proposed new rules to improve the protection of European consumers when shopping online and to help businesses sell across borders.
MEP Vicky Ford, chair of Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, recently gave us her insight into the challenges and opportunities created by the Digital Single Market.
Read the full interview.
