European Commission Paper On Single Market For Creative Content

The European Commission on 22 October published a “reflection paper,” available here (pdf), highlighting the challenges of creating a European digital single market for creative content, according to a press release. The paper was released at the same time as a study published by two European consulting firms and the Institute for Information Law at the University of Amsterdam, available here (pdf), showing that European interactive websites like video-sharing sites and blogs are growing. According to Commission studies, a truly single market without borders for creative online content could allow retail revenues of the creative content sector to quadruple if clear and consumer-friendly measures are taken by industry and public authorities. The Commission has invited all interested parties to comment on the ideas raised in the reflection paper, and in particular on the “possible actions” (outlined in chapter five) by 5 January 2010.