In every copyright debate in Brussels everyone always agrees that legislation needs to be fair and balanced, and that creators should be paid.

SAA has been promoting the idea of an unwaivable remuneration right for the last two years.  Performers organisations have also called for a similar right.  Our analysis, put simply, is that while it would obviously be better to strengthen the negotiating position of screenwriters and directors by introducing standard contracts or changing contract law, the reality is that this is unlikely to happen at EU level.  Antonio Vitorino recognised this issue in his recommendations on private copying levies:

A delegation of SAA members and patrons met Commissioner Barnier on 22nd February ...

The undersigned European organisations of authors, performers and producers have taken note of the recommendations presented by Mr Antonio Vitorino, which mark the conclusion of the mediation process on private copying levies initiated by the European Commission.

Following the publication of Antonio Vitorino's recommendations, SAA has issued the following initial reaction.

The Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) today submitted a complaint to the European Commission against the recent adoption of new Spanish legislation on the private copying remuneration system.

1/3 of the world’s population meet daily on networks powered by digital technology, apparently.  A large proportion of them do so to listen to music or to watch a video.  What is the value of this digital technology without the creations?  

Recently Digital Europe, representing some of the world’s largest technology and ICT companies, announced proposals to shift their private copying responsibilities and suggests that private copying compensation be moved to governments and other public funds.

13 organisations agree - An essential source of income for Europe’s creators

At a rather one-sided event in Brussels last week I heard private copying referred to as a “dark art” that almost nobody really understands.  A ridiculously biased comment.

Removal of private copying remuneration would be detrimental not only to rightholders, but also to manufacturers and consumers, according to a new study published by Compass Lexecon.

In a case opposing the scriptwriter/director of a documentary film, Mr Luksan, and the producer of the film, Mr van der Let, the European Court of Justice has given comfort to European scriptwriters and directors, clarifying their exploitation rights and their right to fair compensation for private copying in the films they create.  The Judgement issued on 9th February 2012 was on a reference for a preliminary ruling from an Austrian court and had to deal with the Austrian copyright law dating back to 1