Brussels embraces online cinema scheme
TERESA KÜCHLER
26.05.2006 @ 10:01 CET
Brussels has signed an agreement with major EU and US film, internet and telecom players to create legal online video and film downloads, in a bid to boost broadband access and introducing European films to a broader audience.
A European Charter for Film Online was presented earlier this week during the film festival in Cannes on the French Riviera, establishing industry reference points to help develop legitimate online sales and distribution of films.
Viviane Reding wants to see more European films and music online (Photo: European Community, 2006)
"The Film Online Charter is a major step forward for Europe's digital economy and for Europe's content industry," EU media commissioner Viviane Reding said at a meeting with key players from the sector.
"Online services will substantially broaden access to European film in all its diversity, and widen circulation both within the European Union and on global markets," she added.
The charter identifies four key elements needing agreement from all parties: an extensive online supply of attractive films; consumer-friendly online services; adequate protection of copyrighted works; and close cooperation to fight piracy.
In Cannes, the scheme was endorsed by major industry players, including the BBC, EMI Music, France Telecom Group, Thomson, Time Warner, Tiscali, the UK Film Council and Vivendi (owners of Universal).
The signatories believe online movie services can create a more competitive film industry and drive broadband development in Europe.
In reaction to the charter, the European consumer protection organization (BEUC) complained it had not been invited to take part in the "Round Table" discussions, and that a number of practices in the prosecution of violators of copyright under the charter were unreasonable, according to media reports.
The charter sets up a list of possible penalties such as revoking Internet connection or exclusion from peer-to-peer networks.
Anti-piracy campaign
For the film as well as the music industry, broadcasting films and selling songs online represents a potential new market, as indicated by the high number of internet users that already download content illegally.
Establishing such a market has not been easy however, as internet distributors and the film and music industries have clashed over objectives.
Tougher legislation on piracy and file-sharing combined with efforts to set attractive prices for online content may push users to go legal, the industry says.
Earlier this week, German police carried out the largest single action aimed at curbing internet piracy in the country.
Over 3,500 users of the popular file-swapping network eDonkey were caught in home and hard-drive raids. File-sharers are now facing fines of up to €15,000 euros or prison sentences of up to three years.
They may also have to pay compensation for offering up to 8,000 files at a time for download on the eDonkey site.
