[A2k] European telecoms operators take position on legal offers of cultural content...

[Anne-Catherine Lorrain]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
http://pr.euractiv.com/press-release/ecommunications-providers-launch-new-i=
nitiative-promote-legitimate-8592

A few weeks before the second reading of the Telecoms package by the
European Parliament and in the middle of the debate on the "loi HADOPI" at
the French national assembly, eCommunications providers launch new
initiative to "promote legitimate online content"...

If you want to know more about ETNO's initiative on their
website<http://www.etno.be/Default.aspx>,
you have to login as a member (!!).


published by ETNO on Monday 16 Mar 2009

BRUSSELS =96 ETNO is launching a new online content web site today, to rais=
e
awareness of attractive online offers put on the market by its members
throughout Europe to download music, films or watch TV. ETNO members believ=
e
that offering a wide choice of online services is the best way to promote a
legitimate use of the Internet and fight against illicit file-sharing.

"The rapidly growing choice of legitimate online content services
illustrates the increasing cooperation between e-communications providers
and content owners in order to respond to consumer demand for price-worthy,
secure and user-friendly services=94, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Direct=
or.

The new ETNO web site gives a non-exhaustive overview of services available
including IP TV, video on demand or music downloads, offered by ETNO member=
s
through different platforms and devices to meet user=92s demands.
"User-demand for content is the basis of our actions. ETNO members develop
and promote business models for content online offers, including music,
films and TV. This list will of course need to be continuously updated,=94
says Patrik Hiselius, TeliaSonera, Chair of ETNO=92s Content
Working Group.

Increasing choice of legitimate content online and raising awareness among
users are the best instruments to fight against illicit file sharing.

=93Illicit file sharing represents a major burden for all stakeholders,
including internet service providers. Education is key. Users should not be
unreasonably criminalised or stigmatised.

Through this new web site, ETNO members show their commitment to play their
part and cooperate with rightsholders under the existing legal framework, i=
n
a scenario where choice and availability for the consumer, and rights and
privacy for the citizen are all fully guaranteed=94, added Bartholomew.

ETNO calls on policy makers and stakeholders to work together in order to
ensure the wide availability of legitimate content offerings and to enable
new creative market-driven business models to emerge.

Visit the new ETNO online content web site
For more information, please contact: Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications
Manager Tel: (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax: (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be

ETNO=92s 43 member companies from 36 European countries represent a
significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an
aggregate annual turnover of more than 250 billion Euros and employ over on=
e
million people across Europe. ETNO companies are the main drivers of
broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.

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Anne-Catherine Lorrain
TACD IP Project
www.tacd-ip.org/blog