[A2k] EDRI's SCCR statement

[Ville Oksanen]

Mr. Chairman,

European Digital Rights represents 29 privacy and civil rights
organizations from 18 different countries all around Europe.
As a Finn, I aim to keep this intervention short: First of all, we share
our position with EFF  and Public Knowledge.  In other words, we believe
that the SCCR should conclude that the BEP proposal should be used a
starting point for treaty negotiation during the forthcoming SCCR sessions.

As an European organisation, we can=92t but hope that our governments will
support the treaty negotiations after their consultations with their
capitols.  At least that would be consistent with EU=92s other current
positions - that is:

- Regarding the Broadcast treaty, as we very well know, EU wants to
expand its chosen model for the global use.  As we have heard, EU has
also already relative good exceptions for visually and otherwise
impaired persons. Therefore, it should be logical to similarly support
exporting these rules for the global use. The problems pertaining to
visually impaired persons can=92t be that much more complex than the
problems faced by the broadcasters?

- Regarding the hard law / soft law approach. European Union is at the
moment solving the pension problem of stage musicians with hard law
approach by changing the copyright term directive. If elder stage
musicians are disadvantaged enough group for hard law approach, visually
impaired persons are most certainly  that too?

Thank you.