WRITTEN QUESTION P-2633/99 by Maria Berger (PSE) to the Commission. Application of cable television directive 93/83/EEC.
Date: 1999-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, cable distribution, economic consequence, restriction on competition, satellite communications

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/183

As far as taking into consideration the peripheral regions of the Community is concerned, the attention of
the Honourable Member is drawn to the provisions of:

(cid:129) the current Socrates programme under Chapter I (Erasmus), Action 2 § 2 which states that with
regard to student mobility, (cid:145)the Commission will take any measures necessary to encourage balanced
participation between various disciplines and regions(cid:146)

(cid:129) Action A.I § 4 of the Youth for Europe programme which enumerates (cid:145)geographical remoteness(cid:146) as
one of the factors on the basis of which (cid:145)the apportionment of the assistance shall take account of the
need to guarantee a balance in the flow of exchanges and equal opportunities for access to young
people of every Member State.(cid:146)

(2000/C 219 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2633/99

by Maria Berger (PSE) to the Commission

(22 December 1999)

Subject: Application of cable television directive 93/83/EEC

The incorporation of cable television directive 93/83/EEC (1) into Austrian law has had solely negative
effects on cable television operators. As a result,
instead of a single overall contract there are now
927 separate contracts,
legal uncertainty has increased and there is greater distortion of competition
between cable and satellite.

1. When will the Commission be submitting the report on the application of Directive 93/83/EEC to
Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee?

Does the Commission intend to introduce a (cid:145)technology-neutral(cid:146) approach, thereby ensuring equal

2.
treatment of satellite reception and cable distribution?

Does the Commission envisage revising Directive 93/83/EEC to take account of the protests of cable

3.
TV operators throughout Europe?

(1) OJ L 248, 6.10.1993, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

The Commission has not received any objections by Austrian operators against the practical application of
the Austrian measures implementing Council Directive 93/83/EEC of 27 September 1993 on the
coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite
broadcasting and cable retransmission.

Concerning the practical application of Directive 93/83/EEC, at present a study is being undertaken by
external consultants. This study includes the application of Council Directives 93/98/EEC of 29 October
1993 harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights (1), 92/100/EEC of
19 November 1992 on rental right and lending right and on certain rights related to copyright in the
field of intellectual property (2) and 93/83/EEC.

On the basis of this study which is expected for the end of March 2000 the Commission will submit the
communication to which the Honourable Member refers. In this context, the proposals made by interested
parties will be considered in the event of any proposals for modification by the Commission.

(1) OJ L 290, 24.11.1993.
(2) OJ L 346, 27.11.1992.