Authors come to Strasbourg today as copyright reform is to be confirmed on the Commission Work Programme and the European Parliament gives its LUX Prize for European Cinema tomorrow.

Authors’ and performers’ organisations congratulate Legal Affairs committee on forward-looking report that looks at how to sustainably modernise the implementation of the private copying levy system to cater for permanently evolving consumption patterns of copyrighted works and to ensure its efficient functioning within the single market.

We, the undersigned European organisations, who give voice and visibility to the concerns of hundreds of thousands of professional authors and performers who make a living in the creative industries, warmly welcome the draft report by Ms Francoise Castex MEP on private copying levies.

The Society of Audiovisual Authors on behalf of its members and the 120,000 screenwriters and directors whose rights they represent welcome the Council's adoption of a negotiation mandate that excludes audiovisual services, including for online, and that any subsequent change to the mandate on this issue will require unanimity among the Council.

European audiovisual industry strongly rejects the de facto inclusion of audiovisual services in the TTIP

Eurocinema, Europa Cinemas, Europa Distribution, Europa International, the European Producers Club, FERA, FIAD, SAA and UNIC congratulate the European Parliament for voting in favour of the resolution calling for the exclusion of cultural and audiovisual services, including online services, from the negotiating mandate of the free trade agreement between the US and the EU. This resolution was adopted with a large majority which demonstrates the strong support for the preservation of the cultural excepti

The Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) brought together screenwriters, directors, collective management organisations and MEPs on Tuesday to show off Europe's audiovisual creativity and stimulate the debate on how the European Parliament can ensure the best conditions for its creators and the continued development of the audiovisual sector.

Eurocinema, Europa Cinemas, EuropaDistribution, Europa International, FIAD, SAA and UNIC welcome Commissioner De Gucht’s commitment to maintaining Europe’s cultural diversity and call for him to guarantee this formally in the negotiating mandate.

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) welcomes the European Commission’s announcement today following its orientation debate on future copyright policy. Adopting a pragmatic approach and conducting a proper stakeholder dialogue is the best way of constructively resolving many of the issues. We are also reassured to hear that any future modifications of current copyright legislation will not be made until the necessary assessments and evaluations have been carried out.

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.