News

Yesterday, the EU Institutions concluded the trilogue negotiations on the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.

UNI MEI and its affiliated unions & guilds would like to thank all representatives of the EU institutions who have supported a fair and balanced comprise on Chapter III on the fair remuneration of authors and performers.

Articles -14, 14, 15 and 16 of chapter III are the articles that matter the most to our trade union members in the media, entertainment and arts. The Commission proposal of 2016 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to promote a sustainable environment for our members, with terms enabling them to claim an equitable share of the revenue they contribute to generate in the on-demand environment through their work. In September 2018, the European Parliament adopted amendments that significantly improved the Commission’s initial proposal.

While, it was not possible for EU decision makers to agree on some key elements that are important to our members such as the notion that contracts shall specify the remuneration applicable to each mode of exploitation, we support the compromise reached.

We applaud the EU institutions’ decision to introduce in EU legislation the principles of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers for the exploitation of their works and of collective bargaining as a tool to achieve fair contractual arrangements (Art. -14 and recital 39y). Further, we welcome the improvement of article 14, which covers the entire economic life of works and will allow for comprehensive and accurate transparency of information regarding the exploitation of works. Finally, we underline the importance of the inclusion of the principle of collective representation of authors and performers in contractual adjustment (Art. 15) and dispute resolution (Art. 16), which is a prerequisite for these rights to materialise.

The compromise reached on chapter III is balanced and reasonable. It promotes social dialogue on fair and proportionate remuneration. We stand ready to engage with all stakeholders in a constructive dialogue on the implementation of the directive.

We thank all representatives of the EU institutions for the hard work and good will to adopt a good, fair and inclusive legislation.

We call on the Council and the European Parliament to adopt the Directive.