Copyright

Screenwriters should be properly remunerated for the use of their work online

The recent study on the remuneration of audiovisual authors pointed out that the median audiovisual author received 9% of their audiovisual income from secondary sources, including payments through Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).

However this income can be of significant importance to creators beyond its immediate value in terms of its usefulness in evening out the worst impact of the instability of authors income, by making payments which can arrive at times of low levels of – or in the absence of – paid employment.

The importance of this principle is particularly marked in the area of online exploitation. As a general fact, screenwriters are not remunerated at all for the use of their work online, despite the extraordinary amount of money being generated from this form of distribution.

A basic policy goal of FSE is to ensure that writers are properly remunerated for the use of their work online. In that context FSE supported, with colleagues in FERA, the campaign by SAA (the European organisation of audiovisual collective management organisations – CMOs) for an unwaivable right to remuneration of the use of work online.

The passage for the Copyright Directive did not commit to the introduction of an unwaivable right to remuneration but the principle is not excluded from the Directive.  At a policy level FSE continues to support the concept and will support its introduction where and when feasible, while also supporting any other initiatives which would have the same effect.

 

News on Copyright

Webinar for Screenwriters and Directors’ Organisations on Copyright Directive Transposition

2022.04.20

News on the 2019 Copyright Directive transposition process and available formats to collective mechanisms allowing for an effective implementation of its provisions related to authors’ and performers’ fair remuneration in exploitation contracts.

FERA-FSE-UNI MEI Hold Second Online Workshop “Building a Collective Bargaining Campaign”

2021.10.07

FERA, FSE and UNI MEI held the second online workshop “Building a Collective Bargaining Campaign” of the joint project “Strengthening Collective Bargaining for Audiovisual Creators” (CBW) on September 21, 2021.

FSE 20th Anniversary : SCREENWRITERS UNITED!

2021.06.11

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, FSE, in partnership with the French festival Série Series, looks back on 20 years of commitment through a collection of videos featuring the views of screenwriters engaged in FSE as presidents.

Transposition of the Copyright Directive. An Authors’ Group statement

2021.06.07

The Authors’ Group deeply regrets the slow pace of implementation of the 2019 Copyright Directive and calls on all EU Member States which do not comply with the Directive to engage urgently in a faithful and prompt implementation.

Primary creators of cultural works at the core of Cultural Recovery in the EU

2021.03.16

The Authors’ Group shares his views with MEPs on the European Parliament’s report on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU : improve the remuneration and working conditions of authors and contribute to the recovery of the cultural and creative sectors and their creators.

Transparency Triangle

2019.10.18

A short video to explain why the so-called “Transparency Triangle” of the Copyright Directive opens up opportunities for collective action for audiovisual creators.

Private Copying Compensation Under Attack

2019.09.19

European Creators’ statement on private copying compensation under attack from Apple, Huawei, Samsung.

Final Results of Survey on EU Audiovisual Authors’ Remuneration

2019.03.22

FERA, FSE and SAA disclose the final results of the first ever EU-wide study on audiovisual authors’ working life and remuneration. Most of them are struggling to make ends meet and to maintain sustainable careers.

EU Council formally adopted the Copyright Directive

2019.04.15

The Authors Group (ECSA, EWC, FERA, FSE) welcomes 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.

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