“European Newspapers and Magazines are world leaders in enabling, financing, creating and distributing a plurality of high quality journalistic media in all printed and digital formats”, said the organizations in Brussels today, “In order to maintain this important precondition for any democratic and free society in the digital age, publishers need finally to be included in the long- existing catalogue of rightsholders under EU-copyright law.” 

These rights are nothing new, having long been granted to broadcasters, film and music producers. They include the classic rights of reproduction, distribution and communication to the public of the work. These rights would have no impact neither on contractual relationships between publishers and journalists, nor on the existing provisions in law dealing with the transfer of rights in certain Member States. These rights would not prejudice specific legal provisions in different Member States, such as in Spain or Germany.

Our readers would continue to enjoy the possibility to link and share articles, complying with normal copyright rules. Beneficiaries of any legal exemptions would also be able to use protected materials for citation, illustration, scientific research, private use etc. The balance between different stakeholders would thus be preserved.

For further information, comment and FAQs please contact the spokesmen below or visit www.publishersright.eu

European Publishers Council

Heidi Lambert on Tel: +44 7932 141 291 or 

Angela Mills Wade on Tel: +44 1865 310 732; @epc_press; www.epceurope.eu 

European Newspapers Publishers Association

Sophie Scrive on Tel: +32 2 551 01 90 or

Carolin Wehrhahn on Tel: + 32 2 551 01 94

@ENPABrussels; www.enpa.eu

European Magazine Media Association 

Max von Abendroth on Tel: +32 2 536 0604 or Catherine Starkie on Tel: +32 2 536 0602 

@magazinemedia; www.magazinemedia.eu 

News Media Europe 

Martin Kala on Tel: +33 (0)6 22 14 53 68 and [email protected]  

@media_europe; www.newsmediaeurope.eu