European Policy, Free Expression, Open Internet
Over 145 Organizations Ask Council to Adopt More Cautious and Evidence-Based Approach
On 26 April 2018, over 145 organisations representing a wide range of stakeholders sent an open letter on the EU copyright reform addressed to the EU Member State Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors. The letter raises many concerns ahead of the meeting of the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (COREPER) on 27 April, in which the Bulgarian Council Presidency wants EU Member States to endorse their latest copyright proposal, and give them a mandate to negotiate start negotiating with the European Parliament.
The open letter emphasizes the lack of an evidence-based approach in the Council and the unjustified speed of the discussions; particularly now that the vote in the leading Committee of the European Parliament has been postponed to June 2018. The state of play of the debate demonstrates that there are still many legal uncertainties and potential unintended consequences of the proposals, which overall require a more cautious decision-making process.
