Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E1446

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1446/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Copyright in the EU** 
  
*Official Journal C 021 , 22/01/1998 P. 0056*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (28 April 1997)

Subject: Copyright in the EU

Many artists across Europe are calling for a uniform copyright law to enable the heirs of deceased artists to collect royalties in the EU on their works.

What is the Commission's position on this issue and does it believe that harmonization would benefit artists throughout the EU?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1997)

The question by the Honourable Member refers to the problem of the transmission of property rights by authors and other rightholders to their heirs. These matters are, as a general rule, left to the Member States to deal with under their civil law.

However, the Commission would point out that the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights has already been harmonised at Community level by Council Directive 93/98/EEC of 29 October 1993 ((OJ L 290, 24.11.1993. )). The Directive establishes a uniform term of protection at Community level for all works and other protected objects which is fixed at 70 years after the death of the author. The rights of performers expire 50 years after the date of the performance. However, the Directive does not harmonise any aspect of succession to rights, these continuing to be governed by national law.

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