Creatives stand by EU law

Claims made by electronics manufacturers slammed

By ANDY STERN

BRUSSELS -- After the opening of discussions in European Parliament on Tuesday about amending EU copyright law, groups representing the interests of artists and film producers have slammed claims made by the electronics industry group the European Assn. of Consumer Electronics Manufacturers.

Philippe Kern, secretary general of the Brussels-based European Film Companies Alliance, told Daily Variety European electronics manufacturers were guilty of scare mongering when they claimed last week that restrictions would deter consumers from buying digital devices and content.

Industry connections

"Manufacturers should acknowledge their interdependence with the content industries," said Kern. "They should also recognize that some limitation on the copying abilities of new technologies is necessary if we are to allow new business models for entertainment to develop. Seeing as it is the entertainment industry which is driving the new economy, they are shooting themselves in the foot."

The European Film Companies Alliance and IMPALA, an association of independent music producers and editors, have called on the EU to protect the use of technology for the delivery of music and film on demand.

"Uncontrolled unauthorized copying would have a devastating effect on creativity output," they said in a statement.

EFCA's members include CLT/Ufa and FilmFour Intl.