Copyright Directive

This is a copy of the letter I will be sending to constituents who have contacted me expressing their concern:

Over the past months, I have received many emails expressing concern over the Copyright Directive, but I have also received many emails in support. After researching the issue thoroughly and talking with professionals from the industries on both sides the debate, I took the decision to vote in favour of the directive, support the creative industries, and close the value gap.

As current copyright legislation stands, there is little protection for copyrighted materials in the digital market. This directive aims to bring copyright legislation into the digital age by making sure that platforms are responding appropriately to make sure that creatives are fairly remunerated for any works uploaded to their platform.

The campaigns circulating the internet (mostly funded by Google and other big names in the tech sector) claimed that the European Parliament wanted take away “freedom of speech” and “censor the internet” with this directive. I can assure you that this not the aim of MEPs and any such claims are false. This directive will not have any adverse effects on internet users.

Article 13 Copyright Directive is merely asking platforms to license content, much like any pub or retailer must purchase licences to have music playing on their premises. If platforms license fully, the users will not lose their ability to post and share images, music and videos on the internet. This directive does not prescribe upload filters; however, the majority of platforms already use them. The directive will allow transparency on their use and calls for a fair and effective redress mechanism in the case of a user believing their content was removed unfairly. I believe that Article 13 and its corresponding recitals are vital in closing the value gap and ensuring that we support creatives in Europe.

I also believe that Article 11 of the directive is important in ensuring that consumers can continue to enjoy a free, independent media that underpins our precious democracy and fuels Europe’s rich cultural diversity. The directive will give publishers the legal standing already enjoyed by music, film and broadcasters and allow companies that wish to re-use and monetise publishers’ content to negotiate a license for the works. The directive excludes individuals from the scope of right, so the right to share links will remain untouched and it specifically excludes the protection of hyperlinks. Not only does the directive protect publishers, it entitles journalists to a fair share of any additional revenue granted by the Publisher’s Right.

Whilst, the text is not perfect, I have trust that these issues will be ironed out during interinstitutional negotiations between the Parliament, Commission and Council. Overall, I believe that the Copyright Directive will achieve a fair and workable digital ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, platforms, publishers, creatives and every part of the internet community.