Category: Archive – 2013
Public consultation on the review of the EU copyright rules: Deadline 28 January 2014
Over the last two decades,
digital technology and the Internet have reshaped the ways in which content is
created, distributed, and accessed. New opportunities have materialised for
those that create and produce content (e.g. a film, a novel, a song), for new
and existing distribution platforms, for institutions such as libraries, for
activities such as research and for citizens who now expect to be able to access
content – for information, education or entertainment purposes – regardless of
geographical borders.
digital technology and the Internet have reshaped the ways in which content is
created, distributed, and accessed. New opportunities have materialised for
those that create and produce content (e.g. a film, a novel, a song), for new
and existing distribution platforms, for institutions such as libraries, for
activities such as research and for citizens who now expect to be able to access
content – for information, education or entertainment purposes – regardless of
geographical borders.
This new environment also
presents challenges. One of them is for the market to continue to adapt to new
forms of distribution and use. Another one is for the legislator to ensure that
the system of rights, limitations to rights and enforcement remains appropriate
and is adapted to the new environment. This consultation focuses on the second
of these challenges: ensuring that the EU copyright regulatory framework stays
fit for purpose in the digital environment to support creation and innovation,
tap the full potential of the Single Market, foster growth and investment in
our economy and promote cultural diversity.
For SMEs intellectual
property rights are very often underestimated. Very often they are only
recognised once an actual problem occurs to their business. However, the voice
of SMEs is crucial in the debate about copyrights because they can be on both
sides, on the side of the rights holders as well as on the side of the users.
Therefore, we would like to present to the Commission the fields in which the
current copyrights does not serve the interests of the SMEs anymore or where it
could/ should be improved.
For further information on this consultation
please consult the following website:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2013/copyright-rules/index_en.htm
Consultation on the European Tourism of the Future
The European Commission is
organising in parallel another consultation on ways to further reduce the
regulatory and administrative burden on the sector, tourism-related public
administrations and other tourism stakeholders in the EU.
The main
objectives of this consultation are:
better
identify the key challenges and opportunities for the European tourism
industry's future;
help
revising, if necessary, the Action Plan for the sector adopted by the European
Commission in 2010 (COM(2010)352).
The questionnaire can be found:
http://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/2e7395a8-d740-3624-f4b2-7b9f3826546c
Deadline is 15th March 2014
Expiry of certain anti-dumping measures
Commission
gives notice that, unless a review is initiated in accordance with the
following procedure, the anti-dumping measures mentioned below will expire on
the date mentioned in the table below.
Product:
Tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel
Country
of Origin:
The People's Republic of China and Thailand
extended to Taiwan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Philippines
Date
of expiry: 5.9.2014
Economic Sentiment improves in the euro area and the EU
In November the Economic
Sentiment Indicator (ESI) increased by 0.8 points in the euro area (to 98.5)
and by 0.4 points in the EU (to 102.1).
While the upward trend observed since
May has been preserved, the improvement in confidence has noticeably decelerated
over the past two months, mirroring differences in developments across sectors.
In the euro area, the ESI's increase was driven by improved confidence in
services and industry. Confidence weakened among consumers and in construction
and remained broadly unchanged in retail trade.
May has been preserved, the improvement in confidence has noticeably decelerated
over the past two months, mirroring differences in developments across sectors.
In the euro area, the ESI's increase was driven by improved confidence in
services and industry. Confidence weakened among consumers and in construction
and remained broadly unchanged in retail trade.
Euro area November inflation: flash estimate up to 0.9%
Euro
area annual inflation is expected to be 0.9% in November 2013, up from 0.7% in
October, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of
the European Union.
Looking at the main components of euro area inflation,
food, alcohol & tobacco is expected to have the highest annual rate in
November (1.6%, compared with 1.9% in October), followed by services (1.5%,
compared with 1.2% in October), non-energy industrial goods (0.3%, stable
compared with October) and energy (-1.1%, compared with -1.7% in October).
food, alcohol & tobacco is expected to have the highest annual rate in
November (1.6%, compared with 1.9% in October), followed by services (1.5%,
compared with 1.2% in October), non-energy industrial goods (0.3%, stable
compared with October) and energy (-1.1%, compared with -1.7% in October).
EU finance ministers reach preliminary agreement on outlines of Single Resolution Mechanism for bank
At
their meetings on 10 December, EU finance ministers reached a preliminary
agreement on the outlines of the mechanism for restructuring or unwinding
ailing banks.
Based on the Commission proposal of 10 July, the new mechanism,
the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM), would establish an integrated European
resolution system for all countries participating in the Banking Union, thus
enabling the smooth and speedy restructuring of failing banks when necessary.
The SRM would include a single resolution board and a single resolution fund so
that the EU can tackle future bank crises efficiently with minimal costs to
taxpayers and the economy. The Council Regulation establishing the Single
Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), the first leg of the Banking Union, which fully
entrusts the European Central Bank (ECB) with the direct supervision of banks
in the euro area, was adopted and published in October of this year. An
extraordinary ECOFIN meeting will take place during the week of 16 December to
finalise the Council's general approach on the SRM.
Commission presents roadmap for completing the single market for parcel delivery
Christmas season is a time when more people than usual
are sending parcels, and the delivery market is being put to the test.
The
Commission has today adopted a communication on completing the single market
for parcel delivery to boost e-commerce in the EU, and to ensure that e-retailers
and consumers have access to affordable and high-quality parcel delivery
services. Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier said:
"The e-commerce driven parcel delivery market is characterised by rapid
growth and innovation, but also by signs of some market failures, particularly
in the area of cross-border delivery. Further action is required to provide
e-retailers and consumers with high-quality, accessible and affordable parcel
delivery services, taking due account of the needs of SMEs and of less-advanced
or accessible regions. The industry is leading the effort, but we expect
results soon and will follow up so that commitments are met."
Commission has today adopted a communication on completing the single market
for parcel delivery to boost e-commerce in the EU, and to ensure that e-retailers
and consumers have access to affordable and high-quality parcel delivery
services. Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier said:
"The e-commerce driven parcel delivery market is characterised by rapid
growth and innovation, but also by signs of some market failures, particularly
in the area of cross-border delivery. Further action is required to provide
e-retailers and consumers with high-quality, accessible and affordable parcel
delivery services, taking due account of the needs of SMEs and of less-advanced
or accessible regions. The industry is leading the effort, but we expect
results soon and will follow up so that commitments are met."
Rules on mandatory origin labelling for unprocessed meat adopted
The
draft Commission Implementing Regulation on mandatory origin labelling for pig,
poultry and sheep and goat meat was approved by member state experts at their
meeting earlier this month.
This measure, which is required by the Food
Information Regulation, sets out mandatory labelling rules for the indication
of place of rearing and slaughter for pre-packed fresh, chilled or frozen pig,
poultry, sheep and goat meat. The types of meat concerned must be labelled with
the indication "Reared in: (name of Member State or third country)"
and "Slaughtered in: (name of Member State or third country)". Minced
meat and trimmings may be labelled with reference to rearing and slaughtering
at EU geographical level (EU and/or non-EU). The draft regulation sets out that
an identification and registration system (with reference codes) should be put
in place by food business operators for all stages of production and
distribution of the meat, from slaughtering until packaging.
Information Regulation, sets out mandatory labelling rules for the indication
of place of rearing and slaughter for pre-packed fresh, chilled or frozen pig,
poultry, sheep and goat meat. The types of meat concerned must be labelled with
the indication "Reared in: (name of Member State or third country)"
and "Slaughtered in: (name of Member State or third country)". Minced
meat and trimmings may be labelled with reference to rearing and slaughtering
at EU geographical level (EU and/or non-EU). The draft regulation sets out that
an identification and registration system (with reference codes) should be put
in place by food business operators for all stages of production and
distribution of the meat, from slaughtering until packaging.
Providing
additional voluntary information is also allowed under the new rules. Such
information includes flags or symbols, information on regions such as
"Bavaria", "Jabugo" or "Scotland", or an origin reference in the product name,
e.g. "Italian" or "French". The Commission is now expected to adopt the draft
regulation in the coming days. The Regulation would apply from 1 April 2015
onwards.
