Cable Europe calls for ‘streamlined copyright clearance’ with content portability

Cable Europe has called on the European Parliament to improve the “legal framework for the licensing of TV programmes” as new content portability rules come into effect.

From April 1, new rules mean that users of online audiovisual services can view content while outside their home country within the EU.

However, Cable Europe, the trade association that represents broadband cable TV operators in Europe, claims that in order to fulfill the promise of the portability regulation, service providers need to have out-of-home rights to allow customers to watch TV shows when they are on the move.

“Under today’s legislative framework, cable operators may not be able to provide the full range of portability services because of the complexities surrounding copyright clearance for ‘online’ content,” said Cable Europe in a statement.

“The draft SatCab regulation, which is currently being examined by the European Parliament and Council, holds the key for this to happen. There is an urgent need to improve the legal framework for the licensing of TV programmes, and to take the opportunity to present a coherent framework in the interests of European citizens.”

“Cable Europe calls upon both the European Parliament and the Member States to ensure that the SatCab regulation delivers the necessary streamlining of online copyright clearance, for the benefit and enjoyment of all European consumers.”

In December, MEPs endorsed a watered-down version of rules on ‘content portability’ across frontiers within the EU. This was proposed by the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee in November.