Public service media invests €20 billion a year in original European content. They are both copyright holders and copyright users. In the EU, there are many initiatives that impact on intellectual property, especially copyright. Specific areas where copyright is up for debate are:
- Copyright and AI – how to address the use by generative AI systems of (public service) media content
- WIPO – the negotiation of an international treaty to combat piracy worldwide
- Contractual freedom and territorial licensing - ensuring that public service media continue to create quality content that is original and diverse
The EBU aims to achieve an EU copyright framework that enables public service media to fulfil their mandate: to inform, educate and entertain every citizen. For public service media to thrive, there must be an environment with broad distribution and access to content, while protecting artistic creators.
Maintaining contractual flexibility allows rightsholders and rights users to negotiate how, when, and where licensed content is offered, to best match consumer preferences. This flexibility depends on the possibility to exploit audiovisual works on a territorial and exclusive basis. Territoriality emphasises the funding of European works. Removing it would limit audience choice and favour the largest players.
