EU Internal Market IP Agenda for 2010/11

Hot off the press at Europolitics today, is a report on Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier's agenda for IP initiatives. In speaking to the Euro Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee on Monday 22nd, Barnier identified initiatives on patents, trademarks, and internet piracy.

As far as copyright is concerned he outlined two legislative proposals that will impact authors - one on orphan works and the other on collective management of authors' rights.

Reflecting that "approximately 40% of library collections are "orphans".........Barnier indicated.....that he agreed with the principle of mutual recognition between national systems advocated by the JURI committee and mentioned a proposal by the end of 2010."

As far as collective management is concerned, the very dishy Barnier (no apologies for betraying personal taste here) is supportive of a directive that would "facilitate the obtaining of cross-border licences and encourage development of the 'lawful offering' in the EU at a competitive price" and it appears he may either propose a green paper followed by a directive in 2011, "or a directive as of this year". Handsome and supportive of the administrative convenience, pro-author and consumer-friendly business model of collective administration. Swoon.............this man has everything!