Press release
European organisations of authors welcome the final adoption of the Copyright Directive and call on EU Member States to seize this historical opportunity to improve the livelihoods of all authors and foster Europe’s creativity.
On 15 April 2019, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the Copyright Directive. Following the European Parliament’s landmark vote on 26 March 2019, this final approval concludes the legislative process and paves the way for the implementation of the Directive in all EU Member States.
The undersigned organisations of authors (ECSA, EWC, FERA and FSE) welcome the Council’s approval and congratulate the European Parliament, Member States and the European Commission for their intensive efforts in reaching such a positive and historical outcome, which honors Europe’s shared values and its investment in cultural diversity and creative talents. In particular, we warmly thank the European Parliament, which played a decisive role in strengthening the Directive’s provisions addressing the systemic weak bargaining position of authors in negotiating contracts, and promoting fair remuneration.
Our organisations and their members now call on all EU Member States to engage in an ambitious and constructive implementation of the Directive so that it honors its promises to improve the livelihoods of all authors and foster Europe’s creativity.