Comment on the European Commission's new strategy on intellectual property issues

IT&Telecom companies comment on the European Commission's proposed strategy for a new intellectual property framework

The European Commission has published material on upcoming changes to intellectual property law.

IT&Telecom companies think it is good that the Commission takes a holistic approach to intellectual property issues, and that it emphasizes the importance of making it easy for EU citizens to access legal, digital content.

It is also positive that the Commission wants to simplify rights management by clearing rights in one place, not in 27 countries as today. This is important so that content can be made available on legal and reasonable terms, to the benefit of consumers.

However, IT&Telecom companies are concerned about the possible consequences of the Commission's proposal to revise IPRED in spring 2012, with a particular focus on the challenges of the digital environment.

- "We stand by our basic, principled position that operators cannot be required to control the content of internet traffic without prior judicial review. However, we will have reason to return to this issue when it becomes clear what changes the Commission is actually considering," says Mikael von Otter, industry policy expert, IT&Telecom Industries.