EU Agrees to Cross-Border Access for Digital Content

BRUSSELS: A new ruling will allow Europeans traveling within the EU to keep their access to online content services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

An agreement has been reached by negotiators from the European Parliament, Member States and the European Commission that marks the first step in modernizing EU copyright rules proposed by the Commission in its Digital Single Market strategy. Consumers will be able to access their online subscriptions to TV series, films, sporting events, e-books, video games and music services when they travel within EU countries the same way they access them at home. The rule will be applicable in all EU Member States by the start of 2018.

Andrus Ansip, VP in charge of the Digital Single Market, noted: “Today’s agreement will bring concrete benefits to Europeans. People who have subscribed to their favorite series, music and sports events at home will be able to enjoy them when they travel in Europe. This is a new important step in breaking down barriers in the Digital Single Market. I warmly thank the European Parliament rapporteur Jean-Marie Cavada, the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU and all those involved in reaching today’s compromise. Agreements are now needed on our other proposals to modernize EU copyright rules and ensure a wider access to creative content across borders. I count on the European Parliament and Member States to make it happen.”

Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: “Digital technologies provide new opportunities to enjoy cultural content on the go, and people are eager to use them. Today’s agreement opens new doors to citizens while at the same time protecting creators and those investing in the production of cultural or sports content. This balanced solution is an encouraging sign for our efforts to build a Digital Single Market that offers new opportunities for both creators and consumers.”