Europarl Question: Stronger protection for copyright holders

Parliamentary questions
4 May 2010 H-0244/10

ORAL QUESTION for Question Time at the part-session in June 2010 pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Iva Zanicchi to the Commission

Subject: Stronger protection for copyright holders

A recent independent study by the TERA Consultant company has highlighted the damage caused by digital piracy to the labour market in Europe. In Italy, the illegal distribution of music and other forms of intellectual property through the internet is estimated to have been responsible for the loss of some 22 000 jobs in the music sector (i.e. damage equal to EUR 1 billion). Moreover, the EU creative sector, in particular the film, music, TV and software development industries are believed to have suffered losses of EUR 10 billion in 2008 alone, in addition to the loss of 185 000 jobs. The creative industries and trade unions have expressed deep concern at the study’s findings as, unless a significant change takes place, the entire sector could be faced with losses equal to EUR 240 billion by 2015 and the loss of 1.2 billion jobs.

Other than the necessary cooperation between the parties concerned to lay down a plan of good practice for lawful downloading, what action will the Commission take to ensure that copyright is more effectively safeguarded and thus contribute to protecting workers in the creative industries, as well as authors and performers?

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