Controversial EU Parliament Copyright Reform Vote Tomorrow; 1,300 Musicians Urge Support

By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch

The European Parliament votes tomorrow on whether to allow negotiations with the Council to begin on controversial copyright reform legislation. The proposed updated rules have sparked intense lobbying by supporters and foes alike, including, one lawmaker said at a press briefing today, death threats.

Under parliament’s rules of procedure, at least 76 MEPs are needed to object to the opening of talks with the Council without seeking plenary approval, the European Parliament said. As of midnight Tuesday, “enough MEPs had in fact lodged their objection.”

If tomorrow’s vote confirms the negotiating mandate adopted by the Legal Affairs Committee, negotiations can begin at any time, Parliament said. If the vote rejects the mandate, the substance of the proposed measure will have to be debated and voted on in September’s plenary session, it said.

Intense lobbying on the legislation is continuing up until the last moment. Today, a letter, here, from over 1,000 recording artists urged MEPs to approve the negotiating mandate.

IFPI, the recording industry association, stated: “Following a campaign involving over 1,300 recording artists – including Plácido Domingo, James Blunt, Francis Cabrel, The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Max Martin, Udo Lindenberg – via petitions and statements, videos and personal appearances, Sir Paul McCartney now lends his voice.”

“IFPI has today released a letter to Members of the European Parliament from Sir Paul McCartney urging MEPs to vote on Thursday (12pm CET, European Parliament, Strasbourg, France) in support of the EU Copyright Directive mandate.”