RD315 - ETNO Reflection Document in reply to the EC “Creative Content Online” consultation

ETNO supports the approach taken by the DG Infso and Markt “Reflection Document on Creative Content in a European Digital Single Market: Challenges for the future” namely;

• Putting the Consumer at the heart of the debate
• Recognizing that the basis for any discussion must be the differences between various categories of protected works
• Recognizing the fact that the problem of illicit file-sharing is complex and must be addressed by a multitude of measures.

ETNO’s focuses on how best to achieve a real and future-oriented single digital market for Europe. There are still obstacles preventing its development, such as the lack of EU-wide and multi-territory licensing arrangements.

Since the “digital economy” has become a key priority it is important to ensure consistency with existing policy initiatives. The aim of any initiative must be to meet customer demand for price-worthy, secure and user-friendly services - to develop new attractive business models.

• ETNO welcomes the EU initiative to launch a consultation on the joint DG Infso and Markt “Reflection Document on Creative Content in a European Digital Single Market: Challenges for the future”. We particularly support the approach taken by the document, namely;
  • Putting the Consumer at the heart of the debate
  • Recognizing that the basis for any discussion must be the differences between various categories of protected works
  • Recognizing the fact that the problem of illicit file-sharing is complex and must be addressed by a multitude of measures.
• ETNO’s comments focus on how best to achieve a real and future-oriented single digital market for Europe.
• A discussion on the opportunities and barriers to the European Digital Single Market to foster the growth of creative content online is essential. Consumers want to use new broadband-based services to access content, any time, anywhere, using any device. In turn, new media platforms are offering tremendous opportunities for the distribution of legitimate content or other information society services. Whilst consumer demand for online content is growing at extraordinary speed, there are still obstacles preventing the development of the European online content market, such as the lack of EU-wide and multi-territory licensing arrangements.
• The Information Society in general is built upon the ability to share content and to interactively develop ideas and facts online. In a rapidly-changing area characterised by multiple uncertainties, it is important to ensure that all barriers that inhibit the creation of new legal content services are lifted. Since the “digital economy” has become a key priority it is important to ensure consistency with existing policy initiatives - including those where other Commission departments are involved.
• ETNO Members are actively playing their part in the continuous development of new and innovative business models. Indeed the aim of any initiative must be to meet customer demand for price-worthy, secure and user-friendly services - to develop new attractive business models.