The European Commission is planning to relaunch the debate on possible reform of the private copying levies imposed on blank recording media and some electronic devices. According to an EU source in Brussels has "appoint a mediator to revive the process" of dialogue between different parties on the issue.
The private copying royalties were added in the 1960 copyright classics, to offset the shortfall represented by the records "home": they involved at the start tapes, but have been extended over the years CDs and DVDs, computers, MP3 players, copiers ... with large differences from one country to another.
In France, the Commission on Compensation for private copying adopted at the end of December, a new scale, which subjects to the charge now certain touch pads, sparking anger among stakeholders. In 2009, the remuneration for private copying amounted to 182 million euros. Today, the Union has thus 27 different national systems of private copying royalties.
Some impose high taxes for only certain products, others lower taxes but on a much wider range. "It will most likely legislation to regulate" the fees on private copying in the EU, but first there is "need a solid foundation" negotiated between rightsholders, industry and consumer representatives, stressed the European source.
TWO previous attempt Brussels has looked in the past on this sensitive issue. A first attempt at reform had failed in late 2006. A forum for dialogue, launched in 2008, has not yielded a compromise, some participants eventually slamming the door. Issues of copyright and intellectual property more broadly are one of major projects this year for the European internal market commissioner, Michel Barnier.
It must publish in principle on May 4, a document outlining its general strategy in this area. 
The private copying royalties were added in the 1960 copyright classics, to offset the shortfall represented by the records "home": they involved at the start tapes, but have been extended over the years CDs and DVDs, computers, MP3 players, copiers ... with large differences from one country to another.
In France, the Commission on Compensation for private copying adopted at the end of December, a new scale, which subjects to the charge now certain touch pads, sparking anger among stakeholders. In 2009, the remuneration for private copying amounted to 182 million euros. Today, the Union has thus 27 different national systems of private copying royalties.
Some impose high taxes for only certain products, others lower taxes but on a much wider range. "It will most likely legislation to regulate" the fees on private copying in the EU, but first there is "need a solid foundation" negotiated between rightsholders, industry and consumer representatives, stressed the European source.
TWO previous attempt Brussels has looked in the past on this sensitive issue. A first attempt at reform had failed in late 2006. A forum for dialogue, launched in 2008, has not yielded a compromise, some participants eventually slamming the door. Issues of copyright and intellectual property more broadly are one of major projects this year for the European internal market commissioner, Michel Barnier.
It must publish in principle on May 4, a document outlining its general strategy in this area.
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