WRITTEN QUESTION E-0415/00 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Copyright.
Date: 2000-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, copyright, interpretation of the law

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/191

(2000/C 303 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0415/00

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(23 February 2000)

Subject: Copyright

On the basis of the Berne Convention and Council Directive 93/98/EEC (1) harmonising the term of
protection of copyright and certain related rights will the Commission please state:

1. To what extent the lawful reproduction of an original work, regardless of the method used to

reproduce it, influences the term of protection enjoyed by the work under EU rules?

2. Whether the lawful reproduction of a work, regardless of the method used, means that other
reproductions may be made against the interests of the rightholder before the end of the term of
protection enjoyed by the work under EU rules?

(1) OJ L 290, 24.11.1993, p. 9.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Council Directive 93/98/EC harmonising the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights not
only defines the Community terms for each category of works or subject matter protected, but also
specifies the event which gives rise to the start of this term in each specific case. In fact, in order to fulfil
the task of completing a true internal market within which there is free movement of goods and services
protected by intellectual property rights, total harmonisation has been achieved, with all the factors which
may affect the terms of protection being taken into consideration.

The lawful reproduction of a work is a normal act of exploitation which has no influence on the term of
protection. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which the lawful reproduction of a work could lead to
other reproductions being made against the interests of the rightholder, as such reproductions should also
be subject to the rightholder(cid:146)s authorisation or fall into one of the categories of legally authorised use. In
any case, a situation of this nature does not in any way affect the term of protection.

(2000/C 303 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0428/00

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Inclusion of a symbol on medicine packages showing which medicaments contain banned

substances

Sport has an important role in society and may now be considered as an integral part of the culture of all
Community countries:

(cid:129) taking into consideration that it has an educational, cultural and recreational function recognised in

the Amsterdam Treaty;

(cid:129) it is important in safeguarding the health of athletes who practise various kinds of sport;

(cid:129) it has been demonstrated that drug abuse has serious immediate and long-term consequences for the

health and physical integrity of people, including sportsmen;

(cid:129) the serious damaging effects vary according to the category of drugs used and other variables, such as
the dose, the duration of treatment, the combining of different kinds of drugs and the presence of
diseases which may aggravate the toxic effects;

(cid:129) in general the risks inherent in taking such drugs are underestimated;