SAA - Society of Audiovisual Authors

The SAA welcomes the call for evidence organised by the Commission to collect stakeholders’ views to evaluate the application of the Directive and collect input on possible regulatory amendments to the Directive. It comes at a crucial time of the transformation of the audiovisual sector landscape in Europe, heavily impacted by the dominance of US platforms on the VOD market, concentration operations, and the growing role of online content sharing platforms in users’ access to audiovisual works.

In these troubled times when EU regulation is targeted by trade partners, the AVMS Directive must remain the pillar of the European audiovisual policy. The SAA firmly supports the continuation of this essential regulation for the European audiovisual market. Over time, it has succeeded in integrating the new players while staying true to its cultural policy objectives.

If the Directive were to be reopened, taking into account the evolution of the market, its landmark provisions on the promotion of European works should be strengthened to provide better protection for our shared space of creative expression and cultural diversity.

These are the ways for the EU to better promote and support audiovisual creators in Europe:

• A higher minimum quota for European works in the catalogue of VOD services
• Exclusion of certain types of programmes from the quota
• Mandatory measures ensuring the prominence of European works
• Mandatory investment obligation for service providers
• Defending the European model of author’s rights

Download the full contribution below.