11/9/12, Brussels
Groupings of screenwriters, directors, composers,
songwriters and journalists welcome adopted European Parliament report that
calls for "fair and proportional" remuneration.
ECSA, EFJ, FERA,
FSE,SAA, and UNI MEI jointly congratulated the European Parliament on its
adoption of the report "Online
Distribution of Audiovisual Works" that recognises that action needs to be
taken to strengthen the position of authors in guaranteeing that they are
remunerated in line with the success of their creative works.
The report, prepared
by French MEP Jean-Marie Cavada (EPP), underlined that it was "essential" that
authors and performers remuneration was "fair and proportional to all forms of
exploitation of their works". It went on
to highlight that such remuneration was incompatible with the commonly
practised system of buyout contracts, whereby an author receives a lump sum fee
up front and no further remuneration.
The creators'
organisations were also pleased to see the report go further, calling for the
negotiating position of authors with respect to producers to be rebalanced
through an unwaivable right to remuneration for all forms of exploitation of
their work.
Also of vital
importance is the urgent call for Member States to implement funding and promotion commitments for on-demand
audiovisual media services, as they too play a crucial role in the promotion
and protection of cultural diversity.
The organisations
are now keenly waiting to see if the European Commission takes these
recommendations on board in its follow-up report on its Green Paper
consultation on the same subject.
Quotes
Patrick Ager, Secretary General ECSA: "This is a step in the right direction and I
hope that policymakers now act promptly to ensure that composers and
songwriters are granted an unwaivable right of fair remuneration for the
exploitation of their works."
Arne König,
President of the EFJ added: "This
vote is a very positive move for journalists. The widespread use of buy-out
contracts and unfair contractual practices seriously challenge job growth in
the audiovisual sector and beyond. The report acknowledges this fact and
shows that talks over authors' rights in the EU can no longer ignore those
behind the creation."
Elisabeth Sjaastad, FERA: "Producers play an essential role and are the
directors' closest partners, but the widespread practice of unfair buyout
contracts has to stop".
David Kavanagh of the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe
said: "The Parliaments' support for the principle of ‘collective bargaining
agreements, including agreed standard contracts' is particularly welcome."
Johannes Studinger, Head of UNI MEI underlined: "The Parliament says protection and reward
of creators and legally watertight access to the cultural heritage for users
are perquisites for sustainable creation and cultural diversity. This needs now
to be mainstreamed into EU regulation."
Cécile Despringre, Executive Director, SAA
added: "I hope the European Commission
will hear these very clear recommendations.
Screenwriters and directors need a properly enforceable unwaivable
remuneration right for all uses of their works."
Press contacts
ECSA - [email protected] - +32 2 544 0333
FERA - [email protected] - +32 489 30 37
03
FSE - [email protected] - + 353 86 837
1203
EFJ - [email protected] - +32
2 235 22 16
SAA - [email protected] - +32 2 894 93 30
UNI-MEI - [email protected] - +32
2 234 56 58
Background
The European Parliament report followed the
European Commission's "Green Paper on the Online Distribution of Audiovisual
Works". The Green Paper was also a
consultation and included a number of questions on the remuneration of authors
and performers. The Green Paper received
225 responses from a variety of stakeholders.
The European Commission is expected to
publish its follow-up report on the Green Paper before the end of 2012.
About
ECSA is the European Composer and Songwriter
Alliance comprising 43 composers' associations from 29 countries and speaks for
approximately 14.000 composers and songwriters. Contact: [email protected] - +32 2 544 0333.
FERA - the Federation of European
Film Directors - contains 39 directors' associations from 29 countries. It
speaks for approximately 20,000 European screen directors, representing their
cultural, creative and economic interests both in Brussels and at the national
level. Contact: [email protected] - +32 489 30 37 03.
FSE - The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe
- is a network of national and regional associations, guilds and unions of
writers for the screen in Europe. It comprises 25 members from 19 countries,
representing more than 7,000 writers in Europe. Contact: [email protected] - + 353 86 837 1203.
EFJ is Europe's largest organisation of
journalists, representing about 260,000 journalists in over thirty countries.
It defends press freedom and social justice through strong, free and
independent trade unions. Contact: [email protected] - 32-2-235
22 08
SAA is the association of European collective
management societies representing audiovisual authors. Through its 25 members
in 18 countries, the SAA represents over 120,000 film and television European
screenwriters and directors. Contact: [email protected] - +32 2 894 93 30.
UNI
MEI is a global union bringing together 140 national unions and guilds representing
more than 300 000 creators, technicians and other workers in the media and
entertainment industries worldwide. Over 70 unions and guilds are affiliated to
its European region, EURO-MEI. Contact: [email protected] - +32 2 234 56 58
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