a
what was at stake
b
green position
c
what we achieved
d
what we did not achieve

Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries

The specificity of cultural and creative industries is not fully recognised across European policies.

In particular, the economic value they represent is largely underestimated.

To raise awareness of the sector's potential, Commissioner for Education and Culture Androulla Vassiliou commissioned studies designed to deepen people's understanding of the sector.

Based on these studies, the Commission then published a strategy paper laying out its political strategy.

 

What was the Greens' position?

There is no doubting the need to stress the value of cultural and creative industries and underline the specific characteristics of their business models, like licensing and issues related to copyright and property rights.

The Greens agree with the majority in Parliament that licensing models need to change, but unfortunately the report remains inconclusive about which solution is to be favoured.

We support a legally binding framework text that will improve access to audiovisual cultural products for visually impaired people.

 

Did other MEPs accept the Greens' position?

The Greens succeeded in making Parliament's position on the cultural and creative industry more evenly balanced and less short-sighted.

We also added amendments on the funding of cultural and creative industries and on the promotion of appropriate education.

In this latter context the Greens made a decisive contribution towards the adoption by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) of a binding legal norm regarding visually impaired people's access to books, and of other texts, signed in Marrakech in summer 2013.

 

Which points did the Greens lose?

Overall, the Greens were satisfied with the result of the negotiations.

Since education and culture are largely national competences and the EU only serves as a facilitator between the Member States, conflict over issues in these domains is rare.

Reference(s)
Press & Events
Committee:CULT

Procedure:Own-initiative procedure

Reference(s):2010/2156(INI)

Lead MEP:Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid (EPP)

Green MEP responsible:Malika Benarab-Attou

Voted:13/04/2011

Staff contact:Frédérique Chabaud (Email)