The Politics of Online Copyright Enforcement in the EU

This book investigates recent policy initiatives dealing with the online enforcement of copyright in the European Union, providing unique insights into the current stalemate in the field. It is a timely contribution to the next steps of policy-making on copyright enforcement and Internet governance. The author brings to light tensions in how we encourage knowledge and cultural creation, and importantly how we regulate the Internet. In this study, online copyright enforcement is situated within the wider debate on Internet governance. Intermediary liability is a focal point. It provides an explanation of recent online copyright enforcement policy initiatives is based on an in-depth investigation of the ideas, interests, institutions and discourses involved in three EU level and two member state level initiatives. Seventy-two expert interviews complement the policy analysis conducted.

Comprehensive: Compares the ideas, interests and arguments behind four EU policy initiatives Innovative: Explores the politics of the European Union in a key policy area: Digital Agenda Relevant: Examines policy developments in online copyright enforcement in light of the wider debate on Internet Governance Ethically Motivated: Makes the case for safeguarding limited liability rules for Internet intermediaries

Auteur

Trisha Meyer is Assistant Professor at Vesalius College, Belgium, and Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for European Studies of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her research focuses on intellectual property rights and Internet governance in the European Union.

Texte du rabat

This book provides insight into the intense conflict and stalemate of online copyright enforcement policy in the European Union. Building on the theory of political economy of communications and an in-depth empirical analysis of four policy initiatives, this study shows how online copyright enforcement serves as a battleground for debating the nature of knowledge and cultural creation and the role of Internet intermediaries in regulating the availability of creative content on the Internet. While copyright seeks to protect creative content, the Internet encourages widespread distribution, and consequently, engenders agency and hope for an alternative non-market based culture and democracy. This book raises concern about the proposed proactive role of Internet intermediaries.

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 2. The Internet Versus Copyright?-. 3. Creative Content Online: 2008 European Commission Consultation.-4. HADOPI: 2009 Graduated Response in France.- 5. E-Commerce Directive: 2010 European Commission Consultation.- 6. Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: 2010-2012 European Parliament Discussions.- 7. Lessons Learned: Online Copyright Enforcement in the European Union.- 8. Conclusion.