EU policy/Monitor

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Monitoring Reports

The EU policy monitoring reports for Wikimedia found here, aim to briefly inform the community and chapter staff about the most relevant ongoings in Brussels. Their primary mode of publication is the Advocacy Advisors mailing list.

This index archive was set up on this page to facilitate an overview and make topic-related searches easier. Also, an etherpad link to the upcoming issue wants to explicitly invite contributors to join the editing process.

Upcoming Report - Draft

You can help us by dropping off a piece of information, writing a paragraph or format some text. Don't be shy!

Upcoming Report Draft

October 2024

As we are bracing for the hearings of the designated Commissioners in the coming weeks, we are also keeping tabs on what seem to be the hot topics of the season: Copyright & AI on one hand, and child protection & age verification on the other.

Highlights

Copyright & AI
Child Safety
Commissioner Hearings

September 2024

The new Commission structure and designated Commissioners have been published. We are now looking down at likely two months of hearings in the European Parliament. MEPs need to approve each candidate, else their national government and von der Leyen will have to nominate someone else.

Highlights

New Commission
Copyright & AI
Child Safety

July 2024

We have a new class of MEPs and a Commission President confirmed for a second term. We are now slowly rolling out the outreach and monitoring the positioning of all the stakeholders and lawmakers. The parliament is in recess until 1 September and the hearings of the potential Commissioners won’t happen until well after that.

Highlights

EC President's Political Guidelines
Parliamentary Committees
Political Groups' Priorities

June 2024

A new European Parliament was elected and while there was a shift to the right, the majorities that controlled the decision-making so far haven’t changed. They are slimmer, however. Which may make the votes of other groups more important, like the ECR (where the current Italian and Czech Prime Ministers' parties sit) or the Greens. Meanwhile, we are monitoring the composition of parliamentary committees and the likely re-organisation of some units within the European Commission

Highlights

CSAM
"Briefing Books"
Copyright Unit

May 2024

With the European Parliament elections a week away we are keeping an eye on the tech priorities candidates bring up. We are also taking the time to pay more attention to national level developments and initiatives. Here, France is once again a major preoccupation.

Highlights

Loi SREN
WMSE & Swedish copyright reform
WMF & DSA legal representation

April 2024

The perhaps last “digital” legislative file that made it across the finishing line ahead of the EU elections is on cyberviolence against women. The Child Sexual Abuse Materials regulation remains stuck. The AI Liability Act will remain on the next parliament’s to-do list. On another level, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg adopted its Anti-Slapp Recommendation. On yet another level, Italy is fighting puzzle makers.

Highlights

Cyberviolence Against Women
CoE Anti-SLAPPs Recommendation
France: Loi SREN

March 2024

Things in Brussels are slowing down. The co-leiglsators are formally adopting the last reforms, while the Belgian Presidency is making one last attempt to get the regulation combatting CSA material over the finish line. Meanwhile the European Commission is offering a grant to build a repository of public domain and open licensed works.

Highlights

CSAM
PD Repository
Political Ads
EMFA

February 2024

Things are becoming quieter on our side. The Artificial Intelligence file is done. We have been to Strasbourg with Ivo Kruusamägi from Wikimedia Eesti to talk to government reps and potential allies about SLAPPs.

As timing goes, the last parliamentary plenary will take place on April 22-25. This is also the last chance to pass legislation during this mandate. Everything unfinished might be continued by the next parliament, but this is not a given

Highlights

anti-SLAPP
AI Act
CSAM
Cyber Violence

January 2024

As the European political families are gearing up for European Parliament elections in June, the legislative work is still really, really intensive. This is caused by the technical fact that if a file isn’t wrapped up by the end of February there simply won’t be enough time to formally adopt it.

Highlights

EMFA
anti-SLAPP
CRA
political advertising
Regulation on EU crimes

November 2023

This month we will give you a more in-depth view of fewer files. In particular the Political Advertising Regulation seems to be reaching the finishing line. The AI Act, on the other hand, looks stuck.

Highlights

political advertising
AI
copyright agenda setting

October 2023

The European Parliament elections are a bit over seven months away and EU legislators are struggling to squeeze through a few more reforms, before their time expires. In practice deals need to be wrapped up by February the latest, otherwise parliament won’t have time to vote on them during their final plenary session in April. We’ll take you through the open files.

Highlights

EMFA
CSAM
Cyberviolence
anti-SLAPP
Software Liability

September 2023

Brussels business picked up very, very quickly in September and it is full steam ahead for regulations on media freedom while the regulation on fighting sexual abuse material online is in a decisive phase. We are approaching the end of the legislative term, after all. Simultaneously, France is causing headaches for everyone. Zut !

Highlights

EMFA
CSAM
France: Loi SREN
Italy: DSA Transposition

July 2023

Intro
The European Parliament is off on its summer break and won’t be back until the end of August. Other institutions are also winding down for the next few weeks. Here’s a last update of what was achieved in the last weeks and where we will pick up in September.

Highlights

EMFA
Political Ads
Portugal & Anti-SLAPP
French digital law

June 2023

Intro
Europe is hurtling towards a mass annual summer break in August, but before that everyone seems to be in a frenzy to get some progress done on their files. The European Commission is consulting on -a public “content moderation database”, France being France is trying to over-implement the DSA and pre-implement other digital files, while Germany is asking itself what to do with e-lending. Oh, yes, the Media Freedom Act is also moving forward. Can’t wait for the Sommerpause!

Highlights

DSA Content Moderation Database
Data Act done!
EMFA
Political Ads
French digital law

May 2023

Intro
This month we were active on addressing age-verification requirements for online platforms and talking about liability for free software. We also got some good news on open access.

Highlights

Age-Verification
CRA
CSAM

April 2023

Intro
We have a new colleague!

Highlights

DSA - VLOP status
CSAM
Data Act
"Fair Share"/NN

March 2023

Intro
Hello, everyone! Almost two weeks ago online platforms released their user numbers for the EU, including the Wikimedia Foundation, an obligation under the DSA. Else, the Commission is running a consultation on… well… de facto net neutrality. Meanwhile, the Parliament and Council are starting to think hard about liability and security of software, including a potential liability carve-out for free & open software.

Highlights

DSA
Cyber Resilience Act
Data Act
"Fair Share"/NN
EFN

February 2023

Intro
Hello, everyone! Almost two weeks ago online platforms released their user numbers for the EU, including the Wikimedia Foundation, an obligation under the DSA. Else, the Commission is running a consultation on… well… de facto net neutrality. Meanwhile, the Parliament and Council are starting to think hard about liability and security of software, including a potential liability carve-out for free & open software.

Highlights

DSA
Cyber Resilience Act
Data Act
"Fair Share"/NN
EFN

January 2023

Intro
Hello, everyone! The new year in Brussels is off to a rolling start, with about a dozen digital files continuing their legislative path. We are expecting the Commission to release a couple of new proposals in the first half of the year - most notably the so-called “Right to Repair” and “Gigabit Plan” initiatives. After that the focus will shift towards finalising whatever possible and preparing for the European Parliament elections next year.

Highlights

DSA
Age-Gating
Political Ads
CSAM
NN

October 2022

Intro
The European Commission is flooding Brussels with the last batch of legislative proposals, including updated liability for software and AI tools. Meanwhile online platforms are beginning to look into the implementation of the Digital Services Act.

Highlights

AI Act
Work Programme 2023
NN

September 2022

Intro
The European Commission is flooding Brussels with the last batch of legislative proposals, including updated liability for software and AI tools. Meanwhile online platforms are beginning to look into the implementation of the Digital Services Act.

Highlights

DSA implementation
AI liability
Data Act
EMFA

July 2022

Intro
The EU institutions, as most of Europe, are shutting down for the next few weeks, so we are giving you an update of all relevant files before we do the same. It is way longer to read than usual, sorry! But we will use this ourselves as a cheat sheet to refresh our memories during la rentrée in September.

Highlights

all files

June 2022

Intro
The French government has vowed to invest money in the commons. Rub your eyes, read it again and then continue reading below.

Highlights

Digital Commons
CSAM
Net Neutrality
Italy
Disinfo

April 2022

Intro
The big event of the month was definitely the political deal on the EU’s new content moderation rulebook, the Digital Services Act. There are a few new obligations in there for Wikimedia and we will take you through them. Next month we are also organising a Wikicheese event in Brussels. You may spread the word!

Highlights

DSA deal
Wikicheese
Danish content moderation law

March 2022

Intro
The French Presidential elections have certainly changed dynamics in Brussels. The French Presidency of the Council is willing to accept compromises in order to wrap up reforms and show progress. Critics say this leads to technically half-baked solutions. Our wrap up of the month of March at warp speed!

Highlights

DSA
DMA - It's a wrap!

February 2022

Intro
Let’s start with the unpleasant: The war in Ukraine has of course made it to the top of everyone’s agenda, as it should. Work on files still continues, but the energy is different and we expect the pace to slow down. At the same time, this war is being played out on online platforms and certain aspects are being picked up by lawmakers when discussing their regulation.

Highlights

DSA
Data Act
DMA
Online Political Advertising
AI
Finland

January 2022

Intro
Let’s start with the basics: Happy New Year! Beyond that the most notable piece of news is that the European Parliament has adopted its position on the new content moderation rules, a.k.a. Digital Services Act and “trilogues” are starting today. We will also give you an overview of what to expect this year from the European Commission in terms of proposals.

Highlights

DSA
Commission Work Plan
AI
Austria, Estonia, Spain

November 2021

Intro
The online regulation files are moving forward at light-speed by Brussels standards. Proposed December last year, the Council has now wrapped up its position on both files, while the Parliament has its position on the Digital Markets Act. On the Digital Services Act we expect the lead committee to come to an agreement before the Christmas break. This way the final, inter-institutional negotiations can start very early 2022. Also, the Data Governance Act is the first digital file to be finalised during the current legislative period.

Highlights

DSA
DMA
DGA done!
France & Spain

October 2021

Intro
The key parliamentary committee votes on acts regulating platforms, DSA and DMA, were postponed from their 8 November dates. The new voting date could be as early as the end of November or as late as February next year. In the meanwhile, the Council seemingly dropped a suggestion to oblige platforms, including Wikimedia’s, to react to take down notices within 24 hours.

Highlights

DSA
DMA
AI Act
DGA Trilogue
Copyright reforms

September 2021

Intro
It’s rainy and it is a Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act frenzy. We are very close to seeing something materialise that almost never happens: the legislator sticking to its timeline. We will try to take aboard the policy whirl.

Highlights

DSA frenzy
DMA frenzy
E-Privacy Trilogue
Copyright consultations in AT and BG

July 2021

Intro
Summer break started. DSA amendments & Malta introduces public domain safeguard.

Highlights

DSA IMCO amendments
Copyright transposition

June 2021

Intro
"DSA Month", thousands of amendments. France tires to pre-transpose the DSA.

Highlights

DSA
French Republican Values Bill
DMA
Data Act Feedback

May 2021

Intro
The Regulation on tackling terrorist content online is a done deal! We want to push for open source AI in the public sector. Also, it is finally time to go after the sui generis database right.

Highlights

DSA
AI Regulation
Data Act
DMA

April 2021

Intro
Wow! What a month! The Terrorist Content Regulation passed without a final vote, an Artificial Intelligence law was proposed unexpectedly quickly and over 600 amendment proposals to the Data Governance Act were tabled. And, and... we started a blog!

Highlights

TERREG
AI Regulation
DGA
wikimedia.brussels

March 2021

Intro
There is little real progress on the Digital Services Act, as the European Parliament committees are bickering about competencies. On the other hand TERREG and the Data Governance Act and E-Evidence are moving ahead. Sorry for the longer read, but plenty of nuance to unpack.

Highlights

TERREG
DSA
E-Evidence
DGA

February 2021

Intro
This month we wanted to bring you closer to the actual legislative procedures of the DMA and DSA. Plus, a little update on artificial intelligence (still nothing palpable).

Highlights

DSA
Digital Targets 2030
DMA
AI/ML

January 2021

Intro
Member States are rushing national DSA-like rules in a frenzy while MEPs fight over committee competencies.

Highlights

DSA
France's "Republican Values" law
DGA
TERREG

December 2020

Intro
Special edition covering the DSA & DMA proposals.

Highlights

DSA
DMA
DGA
TERREG
E-Evidence

November 2020

Intro
We are all waiting for the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act - this legislative term’s cornerstone digital dossiers expected to reshuffle the responsibilities of online platforms. To pass the time, the Commission has published its proposal for a Data Governance Act - a regulation that wants to open up European data for business and research without relying on very large platforms collecting data. Meanwhile, the Terrorist Content Regulation is seemingly stuck in trilogues.

Highlights

Data Governance Act
TERREG
Article 17 Hearing

October 2020

Intro
As Brussels is locking down, some of the few conversations still happening physically in town are the TERREG trilogue meetings. The E-Evidence file is stalling in its EP committee (good!). Meanwhile we are gearing up for the proposals on data governance and the Digital Services Act package.

Highlights

TERREG
DSA/DMA
e-Evidence

September 2020

Intro
La rentrée ! Well, kind of… We are still figuring out the COVID rules as we go and most events and meetings are online. But other than that EU Brussels seems to be back to business as usual. Your policy team has been working hard to wrap up “consultation season”, taking positions on the Digital Services Act, Competition Rules, a Recommendation on Digitising Cultural Heritage and Electronic Evidence Gathering, among others. Have a fun read!

Highlights

DSA Reports
Competition Tool
e-Evidence

July 2020

tl;dr
Hello, folks! This month, for a change of pace, we have decided to list all the files we are working on and give you a tl;dr overview of what they are about. So a bit of a fireworks edition, since it is still consultation season and a lot of ideas are being floated. This will continue until the legislative funnel narrows toward the end of the year. For now it is a frenzy...

Highlights

DSA Consultation
Cultural Heritage Consultation
Art. 17 Consultation

June 2020

tl;dr
Hello, folks! This month, for a change of pace, we have decided to list all the files we are working on and give you a tl;dr overview of what they are about. So a bit of a fireworks edition, since it is still consultation season and a lot of ideas are being floated. This will continue until the legislative funnel narrows toward the end of the year. For now it is a frenzy...

Highlights

TERREG
DSA
Competition
AI
Data Strategy
E-Evidence
Disinfo
CDSM Transposition
Hungary

May 2020

tl;dr
We have an updated work programme by the Commission: Digital Services Act will be proposed by the end of the year, but the Artificial Intelligence dossier is being pushed back and is now expected first half of 2021. Meanwhile the European Parliament is gathering input from MEPs on both these topics in an array of non-binding reports.

Highlights

DSA Amendments
Data Strategy & AI Consultations
Competition Consultation

April 2020

tl;dr
The EU’s “consultation season” remains well on track during lockdown, despite some delays. We are currently working on the Data Strategy and Artificial Intelligence consultations and are expecting the European Commission to open the Digital Services Act consultation by the end of May. Meanwhile, three MEPs have published their draft opinion reports on the latter.

Highlights

DSA Reports & Consultation
Data Strategy & AI Consultations
TERREG Letter

March 2020

tl;dr
The EU is by now in full COVID-19 crisis mode, the institutions are working from home, including plenary sessions of the European Parliament that allowed for the first time ever remote voting by email. Member States are asking and will get an extension on all transposition deadlines and legislative proposals as well as consultations - think platforms liability, AI, data strategy, terrorist content - will certainly be delayed.

Highlights

COVID-19 Delays
DSA
AI Consultation

Febrary 2020

tl;dr
Terrorist Content Online is hot in the Parliament and is taking a worrying turn, Online Content Moderation is THE topic in national capitals and Brussels is trying to stop them with its own effort. A Data Data Strategy, which includes open data) is to be written and the Commission is asking for input.

Highlights

TERREG
Content Modearation
AI @ BFBM

January 2020

tl;dr

Highlights

New Work Programme of Commission
DSA
BFBM announced

October 2019

tl;dr

Highlights

TERREG
Art. 17 Stakeholder Dialogue
National (C) Transposition Updates

September 2019

tl;dr

Highlights

TERREG
New Dossiers
ePrivacy

July 2019

tl;dr
As Europe is preparing to go into a prolonged period of torpor (yes, we don’t get work done here in August), the Commission and Parliament in Brussels are churning out consultations, statements and documents indicative of future legislative work. Terrorism, platforms, “artificial intelligence”, digitisation of cultural heritage, privacy, performers rights - there really is something for everyone!

Highlights

Digital Services Act
TERREG
AI
Recommendation 2011/711/EC
E-Privacy
Performers Rights
Disinformation
CDSM Transposition

June 2019

tl;dr
The political groups and Member States are still negotiating the next Commission President. The committee appointments will become public next week. Meanwhile work on the transposition of the copyright reform is picking up across Europe.

Highlights

Group strength and committees
Privacy Shield
ePrivacy

May 2019

tl;dr
C’est parti ! A new Parliament was voted in and the dust is now settling. Committee appointments are currently being negotiated

Highlights

Post-EU Elections Dust Settling
Poland Challenges Article 17 at CJEU
Transposition of Copyright Directive

April 2019

tl;dr
The regulation on preventing online dissemination of terrorist content, as well as a general restructuring of the intermediary protection rules, will be two hot topics for the next European Commission and Parliament after the elections. Copyright is a wrap and it is now up to the Member States to transpose it.

Highlights

TERREG - after elections
Copyright - wrapped up
E-Commerce - in the pipeline
BFBM6 - imminent

March 2019

tl;dr

The EU copyright reform ends the way it started: absurdly. We need to look at national transpositions now.

Highlights

Copyright - adopted
TERREG - postoned
BFBM6 - coming
Absudrities - continuing

February 2019

tl;dr

This month we have a two-issues report for you: The final vote on copyright is three weeks away and the Terrorism Regulation will be voted on by two out of three responsible committees on Monday.

Highlights

Copyright
TERREG

January 2019

tl;dr
Elections are in four months, which gives everyone less than three months to wrap up the files they have been working on for years. Copyright, terrorist content, privacy open data, disinformation - everything's hot and everything's messy.

Highlights

Copyright - Macron Calls Merkel
PSI Directive now Open Data Directive
TERREG - time for amendments

November 2018

tl;dr
Copyright trilogues have been revolving around text and data mining, safeguarding the public domain and fair remuneration, leaving the more contentious articles 11 and 13 largely untackled. The Public Sector Information Directive dealing with open data has or will shortly receive a green light by both legislative bodies, making it very likely it will be adopted early 2019.

Highlights

Copyright - Trilogues
PSI Directive
Terrorism Regulation
First ever Monsters of Law in Brussels

October 2018

tl;dr
The European Parliament, Commission and Council are negotiating the final version of the copyright reform, including text and data mining, public domain safeguards and upload filters. Meanwhile, the recast of the Public Sector Information Directive is picking up pace and the Terrorism Regulation is becoming yet another legislative proposal that could introduce upload filtering.

Highlights

Copyright - Trilogues
PSI Directive
Terrorism Regulation

September 2018

tl;dr
The European Parliament approved a copyright mandate that is detrimental to user rights and introduces new exclusive rights. Meanwhile, the recast of the Public Sector Information Directive is picking up pace.

Highlights

Copyright - Trilogues Begin
PSI Directive
ePrivacy Regulation
Tackling Illegal Content

August 2018

tl;dr
Ahead of the next important copyright vote on 12 September everyone is waiting to see what new compromises and amendments will be on the slate.

Highlights

Copyright Plenary Vote
Wikimedia events
PSI Directive

June 2018

tl;dr
This time we will call it a “EU copyright reform special”, so prepare to read a single-issue report.

Highlights

JURI vote
Plenary vote in 5 July
Wikimedia activities

May 2018

tl;dr
The Council adopted a negotiating mandate on copyright. The European Parliament is discussed a seventh compromise proposal on “upload filters” today and is expected to vote on 20 June. After that, the two institutions will have to agree on a common version.

Highlights

Council mandate on copyright
Preparing for the trilogue
Trade Talks and IPR

April 2018

tl;dr
The Council of the EU failed to reach a decision on copyright reform last Friday, meaning bickering between Member States will continue well into May. Meanwhile the Parliament is making timid progress towards a committee vote still scheduled on 21 June.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - No COREPER deal
PSI Directive Update Proposed
French jurisprudence: Chambord vs. Kronenbourg

March 2018

tl;dr
Full throttle in Brussels this month - copyright decisions on education, the public domain and upload filtering seem possible in the European Parliament, while filters are still pending in the Council. The PSI Directive and the Database Directive reforms are being drafted.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - EP & Council Updates (Wikipedia carve-out?)
PSI Directive Reform
Tackling Illegal Content Online

February 2018

tl;dr
Actions against upload filters going on in several countries as the Council and Parliament discussions enter decisive phase..

Highlights

Copyright Reform - Article 13
Copyright Reform - Education & Preservation
Tackling Illegal Content Online Commission Recommendation
Fake News - What is Wikimedia's role?

January 2018

tl;dr
The new Bulgarian Presidency of the Council is attempting some subtle moves on copyright [0], while the Parliament seems to be gaining speed (but not compromises) in its lead committee. “Fake news” were also talked about.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - BG Presidency Questions
Copyright Reform - JURI Compromises
Fake News
Is NC illegal?

November 2017

tl;dr
It is the final weeks of a digital policy frenzy here in Brussels before the institutions go into hibernation from 11 December. The Estonian Presidency is doing all it can to get a Council negotiating position on copyright by year’s end, but isn’t likely to make it. Meanwhile, the lead committee of the European Parliament is struggling to find compromises and is expected to postpone the vote.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - Again Council Compromises
Copyright Reform - JURI stalls
IPRED Communication

October 2017

tl;dr
The crucial copyright vote in the European Parliament has been postponed until at least the end of January. The Council negotiations have been fed a new round of compromises drafted by Estonia.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - New Council Compromises
e-Privacy Regulation passes EP
PSI Directive Consultation

September 2017

tl;dr
The crucial committee vote on copyright has been postponed giving us several extra months to prepare. The Member States are discussing a common position in the Council and some of them are worrying about fundamental rights.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - New timeline and Council discussions
AVMSD
Digital Contracts

August 2017

tl;dr
Most of Europe literally shuts down in August, but the past week has seen activities accelerate back to full swing. We are setting the stage for a decisive Legal Affairs committee vote on copyright, for which the compromises will be negotiated in September.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - Parliament compromises and Council leaks
Database Directive
New European Civil Liberties organisation "CLUE"

July 2017

tl;dr
The most important European Parliament vote for the copyright reform will take place in the Legal Affairs committee on 10 October. So far, we have had one rather forward-looking opinion from the Internal Market committee and two backwards oriented opinions from the Culture and Industry committees.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - Ahead of Lead Committee
Database Directive
New restrictions for photographs in Latvia

June 2017

tl;dr
After the vote in the Internal Market Committee, which approved FoP and UGC exceptions, as well as a public domain protection, industry pressure is increasing on all other committees. The most important vote will be on 10 October in the Legal Affairs Committee.

Highlights

Copyright Reform - EP Committees
AVMSD
Database Directive Consultation

May 2017

tl;dr
An all important Internal Market Committee (IMCO) vote on copyright is next week. As IMCO has joint responsibility on this file, their final wording on the “upload filtering” article is crucial. ACTION REQUIRED

Highlights

IMCO Vote on Copyright
CULT and LIBE Committees Progress
Database Directive Consultation

April 2017

tl;dr
Ça y est ! The copyright amendments in the lead European Parliament committees have been proposed. From now on we are focused on building consensus and forging compromises. In the meanwhile, we answered the European Commission’s consultation on “data driven economy”, telling them that a new related right on data isn’t a swell idea. In Hungary, a new proposed law might make operating NGOs with funds from abroad very unpleasant.

Highlights

Copyright Reform Amendments
Data Economy Consultation
Hungarian NGO Bill

March 2017

tl;dr
The EU copyright reform has entered into the first decisive phase in the European Parliament. The lead committee (Legal Affairs) is collecting amendment proposals until 12 April. After that, the rapporteur and her shadows will try to make sense of all the proposals and find compromises that can be carried by majorities. This is the first chance for us to include the changes we need in this reform. Our priorities are FoP, Public Domain, TDM and UGC.

Highlights

Copyright Reform
Digital Contracts
Big Fat Brussels Meeting 4

January 2017

tl;dr
The hot phase of the EU copyright reform is getting closer. We are currently talking to the decisive MEPs on a number of issues: text and data mining, Freedom of Panorama, safeguarding the public domain, ancillary copyright, upload filtering, linking and databases

Highlights

Copyright Reform
Data Economy Consultation
E-Privacy

November 2016

tl;dr
Brussels was very much preoccupied with the proposed EU copyright reform in November. The European Parliament appointed responsible committees and rapporteurs. We have a timeline that will give us time until March to propose changes. Wikimedia drafted several changes and started discussing them with potential partners and decision-makers.

Highlights

Copyright Reform
AVMS
E-Privacy

October 2016

tl;dr
Copyright reform: Action, action, action!

Highlights

National consultations
Top priorities
Main risks

September 2016

tl;dr
Copyright reform announced.

Highlights

Limited copyright exceptions
Ancillary copyright
Intermediary liability

July 2016

tl;dr
DG CNCT is bravely working trough the heat to prepare its copyright (reform) package on 21 September.

Highlights

Copyright
Privacy Shield
Net Neutrality

June 2016

tl;dr
An interesting case in Beglium on levies gives new spin to EU copyright reform momentum

Highlights

FoP in Belgium
Image Levies in France
Reprobel case

May 2016

tl;dr
3rd DSM Package (no liability) and FoP in Belgium

Highlights

No intermediary liability regime change
FoP in Belgium
Privacy Shield DOA

April 2016

tl;dr
Our FoP consultation strategy is ready.

Highlights

FoP Consultation
Auiovisual Media Services Directivwe
Text and data mining

March 2016

tl;dr
A new consultation focusing exclusively on Freedom of Panorama and a rebranded ancillary copyright proposal.

Highlights

FoP Consultation
Ancillary Copyright Consultation
IPRED Consultation

February 2016

tl;dr
Plenty of work on Freedom of Panorama in the Member States this month, which is important as shifting the negotiation preconditions for a few national governments is a very efficient way to change the dynamics in Brussels.

Highlights

FoP in France
FoP in Belgium
BEREC's NN guidelines

January 2016

tl;dr
The Database Directive is suddenly “up for grabs”, European news media publishers split over internal differences and France might soon live to see a Freedom of Panorama exception.

Highlights

Digital Single Market Strategy
Database Directive
FoP in France

November 2015

tl;dr
The European Commission wants a fully harmonised copyright. One day. For now, they are planning two reform packages - in December and June 2016. Simultaneously there is more and more pressure on regulating a new enforcement and liability regime online.

Highlights

Copyright Reform Package
Enforcement
SatCab Directive

October 2015

tl;dr
The Telecoms Single Market package is finally through. It establishes some very limited form of network neutrality and promises the end of roaming, kind of. Copyright reform will be split into two packages – an uncontroversial one in December and a more ambitious one next year.

Highlights

Telecoms Single Market Regulation passed (Net Neutrality rules)
Copyright reform to be split
Digital Single Market 2016-2020 Consultation

September 2015

tl;dr
The European Commission is running a consultation on intermediary liability, in France and Belgium FoP is becoming a national topic and this year’s Big FAT Brussels Meeting will take place on the 20-21 November.

Highlights

Platforms Consultation
EP Parliamentary Questions on FoP
Data Protection Umbrella Agreement

May 2015

tl;dr
Two weeks until the committee vote that will include FoP and PDGo. Wikimedia co-hosted a Freedom of Panorama event in the EP. That Commission officially announced a Digital Single Market Strategy.

Highlights

14 days ahead of the our compromises still not finalised
Wikimedia co-hosts FoP event in the EP
European Commission presents Digital Single Market strategy

April 2015

tl;dr
Vote on “Reda Report” postponed by more than a month. FoP is looking good. PDGov is a toss-up.

Highlights

Reda Report
Wikimedia Events
Net Neutrality

March 2015

tl;dr
Two of our main goals, Freedom of Panorama and Government Works in the Public Domain have been proposed in the draft report on the Implementation of the InfoSoc Directive (a.k.a. “Copyright Directive”). However a large number of the tabled amendments aim at limiting or removing the original paragraphs.

ToC

InfoSoc Implementation Draft Report Amendment Proposals Published
IMCO Committee Vote on Opinion for InfoSoc Implementation Report
Commission Hates Geo-Blocking and/or Alarm Clocks
NYU/HEC EU Regulatory Clinic Work on Freedom of Panorama

February 2015

tl;dr
There are two copyright theatres at this point - the European Parliament and the European Commission. The former is working towards the media, the latter is writing away in a cloud of mystery. Wikimedia is engaging in both on an ongoing basis.

ToC

IMCO, CULT & ITRE Committees Publish Draft Opinions on Copyright Reform
Wikimedia Participates in High-Level Roundtable with Commissioner Oettinger
AskAnsip and AskOettinger Twitter Events
Scope and Terms of Wikimedia Requested PD Contribution Study

January 2015

tl;dr
While the Commission is quietly and sometimes reluctantly drafting a copyright reform proposal, the European Parliament is in the middle of trying to find its position on the matter by writing an own-initiative report.

ToC

EP Report on the Implementation of the 2001 InfoSoc Directive
Intergroup on the Digital Agenda and Positions of the Commission
Parliamentary Question on PDGov
WIPO Broadcast Treaty

November 2014

tl;dr
To be extra popular, we’re keeping it rather short. Some data protection and plenty of copyright.

ToC

The Google Spain Case and the “Right to be Forgotten”
European Commission Work Programme 2015
Copyright Reform Perspectives: Directive or Regulation and what about France & Belgium?
Freedom of Panorama/Wikimedia in the media

October 2014

tl;dr
The Court of Justice of the EU ruled, that embedding copyrighted videos cannot constitute copyright infringement. The European Wikimedia chapters published their position paper on copyright reform in the EU.

ToC

FKAGEU: Position paper on EU copyright published
CJEU: Copyright ruling on embedded videos
Commissioner Ansip: offline and online hearings
Commissioner Oettinger: Internet levies? Ancillary copyright? “Google

tax”?

September 2014

tl;dr
The new Commissioner for Digital Economy & Society performed unconvincingly in his European Parliament hearing but said he wants to produce a copyright reform proposal in 6 months’ time. While the Commissioners are being checked out by the members of parliament, some of their units are moving offices - most notably for us the copyright unit is moving from DG MARKT to DG CONNECT.

ToC

EP Hearings: Commissioner for Digital Economy & Society GuentherOettinger
Restructuring the EC: Copyright unit moving from MARKT to CONNECT
CETA: Released text contains chapters on e-commerce and IPR
CJEU: Judgement on digitisation and access to works on libraries
Recommended reads

July 2014

tl;dr
The copyright reform white paper and impact assessment were postponed, while at about the same time the new Commission President made reforming copyright his top priority. Meanwhile the EC proclaimed Creative Commons licenses as a de-facto standard for public sector information, albeit in non-binding guidelines.

ToC

Copyright Consultation Review Released
EU Recommends Free Licenses for Public Sector Information
New Commission President Makes Copyright Reform Top Priority
Recommended Action: Advocacy at Wikimania

June 2014

tl;dr
A draft of the White Paper on copyright was leaked and looks very vague. A court decision confirmed that caching when browsing the internet does not constitute a copyright infringement.

ToC

Leaked White Paper on Copyright
Meltwater Case Decision by the CJEU
EU Libraries May Digitise Books Without Asking Permission
Next Steps in Brussels - Parliamentary Groups, Committees and Commissioners

May 2014

tl;dr
A ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union turned the “right to be forgotten” from a philosophical concept to a Google form with submit button. Meanwhile the European Council is thinking about its position on net neutrality while the European Parliament is constituting its committees.

ToC

Court decision grants EU citizens the “right to be forgotten” by search engines
Net Neutrality negotiations in the European Council
Post-Election Political Groups, Parliamentary Committees and Commissioners

April 2014

tl;dr
Everyone here turned back to their Member States to work on their reelection. This gives us some time to concentrate on case law and take a closer look at what the Commission has been up to.

ToC

Commission Works on Copyright Reform - leaks, studies and a White Paper
ECHR Case Delfi vs. Estonia - website liability for user comments
CJEU Case ACI Adam vs. Thuiskopie - lawfulness of private copies
Net Neutrality Legislation - European Paliament adopts its final version

March 2014

tl;dr
Brussels politics is generally calming down ahead of the elections with the notable exception the crucial net neutrality vote this week. Meanwhile the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that web site blocking orders do not have to be specific.

ToC

CJEU: „UPC Telekabel Wien“ Decision
TTIP: EU-US Talks on Web Hosting Liability
Net Neutrality: Decision Imminent
Big Fat Brussels Meeting vol. 2

February 2014

tl;dr
A White Paper on copyright can be expected before the summer break, according to Commissioner Barnier. He also wants to revive the attempts for "notice and action" legislation, although even his staff in Brussels was unaware of that. In Luxembourg, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that no extra permission is needed to link to content available online. Finally, in Strasbourg, the Parliament passed the Collective Rights Management Directive explicitly allowing "non-commercial" licensing.

ToC

Beyond the Copyright Consultation
CJEU: Linking to Copyrighted Content Without Permission Legal
Restarting the Notice and Take Down Directive
Collective Rights Management Directive Adopted
Short Stories: Internet Governance, Food Porn and a Study on InfoSoc

January 2014

tl;dr
Just one more week to go until the Copyright Consultation by the Commission closes. At the same time the Data Protection reform has officially been postponed for the next legislative period. Surprisingly, the Network Neutrality dossier is moving ahead at a steady pace.

ToC

Copyright Consultation
Committee Vote on the EU Single Market for Electronic Communications
EU Data Protection Regulation Delayed

November 2013

tl;dr
Copyright reform dialogue,PSI guidelines and study on the “contribution of public domain works and open licensing to the European economy” likely to come.

ToC

New Copyright Reform Consultation Announced
Public Sector Information Hearing in Luxembourg
Study on Public Domain and Open Licensing by EC
Trademark Directive and Encyclopedias

October 2013

tl;dr
Open Access is to be compulsory in the EU’s Horizon 2020 funding programme. The European Court of Human Rights has confirmed that an Estonian website is liable for third-party comments on their website. The European Parliament LIBE committee has passed its version of the Data Protection Regulation, making the "right to be forgotten" into the "right to be erased".

ToC

European Court of Justice Backs Freedom of Information
European Court Rules Website Liable for Third-Party Comments
Studies on Intellectual Property Released & IP Infringements Observatory Meeting
Open Access in EU’s Horizon 2020 Funding Programme
Data Protection Regulation - Committee Vote
Commission Requesting Citizens’ Feedback on Internet Policies
Creative Commons Takes Global Position on Copyright Reform

September 2013

tl;dr
There is a chance that the General Data Protection Directive will be negotiated behind closed doors. The Commission has tabled its proposal for a network neutrality regulation including “specialised services” permission. We at the Free Knowledge Advocacy Group are writing up a mission statement.

ToC

Surveillance and Data Protection
Net Neutrality
Revision of the PSI Directive
TTIP
EU Launches OER Initiative
Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU - Drafting the Mission Statement
Open Policy Network by Creative Commons

July 2013

tl;dr
From a Wikimedian’s perspective, the most significant events were the signing of two open letters as a reaction to PRISM (by WMF and WMDE) and the Committee vote on the Collective Rights Management Directive. This is the Directive that will decide whether it will be legal for musicians to donate single pieces of music to our projects.

ToC

Prism and Data Protection - Reactions and Wikimedia actions
Collective Rights Management Directive - Committee vote passes
Licences for Europe - Inside the work groups
Net Neutrality - Leaked draft
Notice and Takedown - And now what?
Meet us in Hong Kong!

June 2013

tl;dr
In June, NSA PRISM news have had a firm grip on public and political attention in Brussels, resulting in a loss of focus on several relevant proceedings. July is expected to be hotter, as a lot of work will be rushed through before the break in August.

As we’re experimenting with the best possible format, the articles in this report will be kept shorter than in the previous one. Feedback appreciated.

In the coming weeks the EU Policy Portal on Meta will be further developed to reflect current ongoings and become a topical information hub. Keep an eye on it!

ToC

Licenses for Europe - Turbulences and Midterm Reports
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership - Audiovisual Exception Adopted by EP
EU Data Protection - LIBE Committee Vote Postponed
Network Neutrality - Commissioner Kroes Expected to Propose Legislation
Future of Copyright Contest - A Way to Share Your Vision

May 2013

tl;dr
The first monitoring report on EU Policy strives to give a brief overview over current legislative debates in Brussels that might be of interest to the Wikimedia movement. We have five topics.

ToC

Collective Rights Management and Online Use
EU-US Trade Agreement
Stakeholder Dialogue on Copyright
EU Data Protection
Network Neutrality

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