[A2k] European commissioner quote

[Manon Ress]

Charlie McCreevy Speech
European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services
Annual Policy Strategy
European Parliament Internal Market Committee (IMCO)
Brussels, 20 June 2006
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/
06/395&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

QUOTE
The Second specific area I would like to touch upon is Intellectual
Property and Copyright.

I am aware that this falls primarily within the remit of the Legal
Affairs Committee which I will be meeting tomorrow, but I wanted to
bring it to your attention as well. Rewarding creativity and
innovation are crucial for promoting our economic development. Having
a solid legal framework for intellectual property is essential for
the internal market.

But the protection of intellectual property and copyright also raises
important questions of their effect on consumers, and I am conscious
that this side of the argument requires a fair hearing. We need to
pursue a balance in this respect. I have just recently written to
your Chair to inform you on our ongoing consultation on copyright
levies on recording media and equipment.

We are also looking at the question of the term of protection for
sound recordings. Record companies and performing artists have
highlighted the fact that an extension of the term of protection is
necessary to safeguard the competitiveness and sustainability of
their activity. By the end of this year we hope to complete an impact
assessment with a view to assessing the benefits and disadvantages of
an extension of the term of protection.
END OF QUOTE


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Manon Anne Ress
manon.ress@cptech.org,
www.cptech.org

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