The EU copyright directive was adopted by the European Council on 15th April, completing its final stage of approval after two-and-a-half years of debate and negotiation — and much hard work, including by many British Copyright Council members in the UK. You can read the European Council press release here and one from the European Commission here.

Although six member states voted against the new rules (Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden), and three abstained (Belgium, Estonia and Slovenia), the directive passed with the support of 19 countries — three more than the minimum required — representing more than 71% of the EU population.

“I am very glad that we have achieved a balanced text, creating multiple opportunities for Europe’s creative sectors, which will thrive and better reflect our cultural diversity and other European common values, but also for the users, whose freedom of expression on internet will be consolidated. This is a milestone for the development of a robust and well-functioning digital single market.”

– Valer Daniel Breaz, Romanian Minister for Culture and National Identity

Also today, the EU finally adopted the new “Satcab” directive aimed at facilitating the licensing of copyright material contained in radio and TV programmes, so that European broadcasters can more easily make them available through online services across the EU.

Both directives must now be published in the Official Journal of the EU, after which member states will have 24 months to implement the measures at national level.

Thanks to the British Copyright Council