EU Faces Copyright Row Over Downloading Music

gadders sends us a short blurb about Europe considering its own version of the DMCA. This piece doesn't have much information - does anyone have more info about exactly what is being proposed?

So, they don't mind private use.

[splante]

In this article, Francine Cunningham, spokeswoman for the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said, "We don't have a problem if someone copies a piece of music for the car or summer house or teenage daughter."

It would be nice if the record and movie groups in the US held this view.

By the way, it's nice to be able to share, but who listens to the same music as their teenage daughter?

Proposed directive text.

[DHam]

The proposed directive text as at May 1999 is here [eu.int]. I don't know who's slow, the reporter or the EUs webmasters :-(.

For those who don't enjoy reading EU directives, there's a Commission press release from 9 June 2000 here [eu.int]. Be warned, however, it is even more vague than the directive, especially on circumvention measures.

Re:Proposed directive text.

[LarsG]

The latest proposal, from September 2000, is available here. [eu.int]

Here [eu.int] is where the latest news regarding this proposal will be posted.

And this isn't just a row over digital music, this is the European counterpart of the DMCA. To say that it has been hotly debated is an understatement. Especially concerning Article 5 and 6. 6.4 was added after May'99, btw.

The most important issue is weither 'circumvention devices' should be available to the general public or not. We need a better name for 'circumvention device', though. 'Tool that can be used for piracy, but is also required to exercise fair use rights that involve copying' would be more appropriate.