Battling piracy and protecting copyright doesn't require more legislation, the European Commission has said.
Instead, Europe should enforce existing laws and encourage the private sector, consumers, and governments to work together to protect intellectual property (IP) rights.
Intellectual property is a "cornerstone" of Europe's economy, said internal market and services commissioner Charlie McCreevy.
"Unfortunately, there are always those who will seek to undermine honest intentions," McCreevy said in a statement. "We need to stop this dangerous trend not by more legislation, but by mobilising stronger collaboration helping us to fight back."
Rather than add more anti-piracy laws, the EC said it would look to increase enforcement through a new EU Observatory, which would bring together experts from the private sector with consumers and government officials to share best practice and ideas.
It also called for EU countries to choose a national coordinator for the issue, to help member states get better organised on preventing piracy, and to develop ways to work together to tackle disputes.
The UK has been looking to come up with new ways of tackling piracy, lead by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson who has been criticised for criminalising filesharers and having close ties with the music industry. On the other hand, the newly-launched Pirate Party is set to run in the next election on the very issue.
-
‘Europe could do it, but it's chosen not to do it’: Eric Schmidt thinks EU regulation will stifle AI innovation – but Britain has a huge opportunityNews Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt believes EU AI regulation is hampering innovation in the region and placing enterprises at a disadvantage.
-
The EU just shelved its AI liability directiveNews The European Commission has scrapped plans to introduce the AI Liability Directive aimed at protecting consumers from harmful AI systems.
-
A big enforcement deadline for the EU AI Act just passed – here's what you need to know
News The first set of compliance deadlines for the EU AI Act passed on the 2nd of February, and enterprises are urged to ramp up preparations for future deadlines.
-
EU agrees amendments to Cyber Solidarity Act in bid to create ‘cyber shield’ for member statesNews The EU’s Cyber Solidarity Act will provide new mechanisms for authorities to bolster union-wide security practices
-
The EU's 'long-arm' regulatory approach could create frosty US environment for European tech firmsAnalysis US tech firms are throwing their toys out of the pram over the EU’s Digital Markets Act, but will this come back to bite European companies?
-
EU AI Act risks collapse if consensus not reached, experts warn
Analysis Industry stakeholders have warned the EU AI Act could stifle innovation ahead of a crunch decision
-
Three quarters of UK firms unprepared for NIS2 regulations, study findsNews Senior management can be held personally liable for non-compliance under NIS2 rules
-
US-UK data bridge: Everything you need to knowNews The US-UK data bridge will ease the complexity of transatlantic data transfers
