Stand-off delays Commission piracy plans
February 19, 2009
The European Commission is set to delay proposals to tackle online piracy until the end of its current mandate, following heavy pressure from telecoms companies and consumer organisations.
Lobbies from the music sector and the wider online content production industry have been pushing for a range of initiatives to reduce Internet piracy in Europe. Brussels had planned to present actual proposals in the form of a recommendation in April but feels the two sides radical positions have left little room for negotiation.
“There will be no recommendation. The Commission will only later present issue papers,” which may be used by the next Commission after it is sworn in at the end of 2009 or in 2010, explained Martin Selmayr, spokesman for Viviane Reding, the EU’s information society commissioner.