In January 2014, DACS called on visual artists and their estates to take part in an important public consultation on current copyright rules in the EU. As the UK’s leading representative for visual artists’ rights, we also submitted a response. It is now available to read online.
Why was there a consultation into EU copyright?
The consultation was launched by the
European Commission to review current copyright rules in the EU, particularly in light of recent developments in digital and online.
It aimed to find out if the current system is still working or if there are ways in which it can be updated to meet current needs.
Feedback was sought from anyone and everyone – from consumers and bloggers to visual artists and musicians, whose artistic integrity and livelihoods depend on copyright.
As a representative and advocate for thousands of visual artists worldwide, we responded to ensure the impact of any changes to EU copyright on artists and European visual culture are taken into account, as well as make recommendations for improvement and clarity.
Read our response on behalf of visual artists
Key points covered in our response include:
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the need for more education on copyright, EU-wide, for both users and creators of copyright-protected works such visual art
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the need to maintain the current system of separate copyright laws, rather than introduce a single EU copyright law, as these laws have been developed to serve cultures which are inherently different, and therefore contribute to the richness and diversity of European culture
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that an additional system requiring artists to register their copyright would cause confusion as well as undermine the work of collecting societies such as DACS
Read our full response to the consultation.
We will be keeping a close eye on any changes to EU copyright which might take place as a result of this consultation. For updates,
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Learn more about copyright by visiting our Knowledge Base.
Image: Raymond Briggs, illustrator, cartoonist and author. © Brian Benson, 2012