Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

**COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES**

Brussels, 14.05.19%

COM(96) 188 final

95/0156 (CNS)

**Amended proposal for a**

**COUNCIL DECISION**

**adopting a multi-annual Community programme**

**to stimulate the development of** **a** **European multimedia content industry**

**and to encourage the use of multimedia content**

**in the merging information society**

**(INFO 2000)**

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2)
of the EC-Treaty)

**Explanatory memorandum**

**1.** **Introduction**

1.1 On 30 June 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Decision
adopting a multi-annual Community programme to stimulate the development of a
European multimedia content industry and to encourage the use of this multimedia
content in the emerging information society (INFO 2000) (COM(95) 149 final).
This proposal was transmitted to the Council on 30 June 1995.

1.2 The Council reached a political agreement on this proposal on 27 November 1995.

1.3 The ESC delivered its opinion at the meeting on 20-21 December 1995 (ESC(95)
1455).

1.4 The European Parliament adopted its opinion on 28 March 1996. That opinion
contains 52 amendments to the original text presented by the Commission.

1.5 The Commission can accept 24 of these amendments, of which 16 in whole and 8
in part. It cannot accept the remaining 28 amendments.

1.6 The reasons for which the Commission has adopted this position on the
amendments are set out in paragraph 3 below. The text of the amended proposal is
given in Annex 1 (right-hand column) as compared with the text of the original
proposal (left-hand column).

**2.** **Object of the proposal**

The proposal concerns the establishment of a multi-annual Community programme,
called INFO 2000, aimed at stimulating the development of a European multimedia
content industry and encouraging the use of this multimedia content in the emerging
information society.

The three long-term strategic objectives of the programme are:

- to facilitate the development of the European information content industry;

- to optimise the contribution of new information services to growth, competitiveness
and employment in Europe;

- to optimise the contribution of the advanced information services to the
professional, social and cultural development of the citizens of Europe.

**3.** **Position of the Commission on the amendments presented by the European**

**Parliament**

3.1 Amendments accepted as they stand

The Commission accepts Amendments 4, 6, 8, 9, 15, 17, 20, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 44, 47

and 51.

Amendment 4 adds a new recital rightly underlining respect for linguistic pluralism.

Amendment 6 is useful in that it adds a new recital to the effect that the measures under

the programme must help, in particular, to reduce the risks of exclusion.

Amendment 8 specifies that cinema and television are included in the audiovisual sector.

Amendment 9 stresses the synergy to be achieved between the INFO 2000 programme
and other Community programmes or initiatives.

Amendment 15 extends the Commission's responsibility to the granting of financial aid.

Amendment 17 redefines the field of application of the comitology procedure set out in
Article 5, by deleting the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure and introducing a more
precise wording as regards the participation of bodies from third countries or
international organisations.

Amendment 20 is a technical improvement to the wording employed.

Amendment 22 is useful in pointing out that the organisations entrusted with awareness
and information campaigns work in a European and international network.

Amendment 27 is an improvement to the title of Action Line 2 (Multimedia exploitation
of public sector information).

Amendment 28 adds some useful remarks on public sector information.

Amendment 33 specifies the fields concerned by the pilot projects conducted under
activity 2.2.

Amendment 34 improves upon the wording of the original text to express the same idea.

Amendment 39 rightly reiterates the importance of the coordinated approach adopted in
the pilot projects conducted under the IMPACT programme.

Amendment 44 rightly insists on particular encouragement for the development of
multimedia services for SMEs amongst the measures aimed at developing and
exchanging good practice.

Amendment 47 rightly points out that education must devote more attention to Europe's
cultural and linguistic heritage and to the multimedia aspect.

Amendment 51 improves upon the wording.

3.2 Amendments which the Commission can accept in part or subject to modification.

This concerns Amendments 1, 5, 7, 21, 30, 37, 38 and 50.

Amendment 1 makes a useful addition in the form of a new recital reiterating the
principles of equality, accessibility and low cost, with regard to certain basic services,
which must be respected in the provision of multimedia services. The Commission
cannot, however, accept the words "and in some cases free provision", which it regards
as too all-embracing.

Amendment 5 can be accepted in principle, in that the interests of the public certainly
merit special attention. Nevertheless, in order to preserve the consistency of the text of
the recitals, it is preferable to add the words "and the interests of the public" at the end of
recital 11.

It is not within the remit of INFO 2000 to settle the questions raised by Amendment 7.
Nevertheless, the Commission agrees with the spirit of the proposed recital and will
devote particular attention to the level of implementation of the programme, so as to
ensure that the measures taken under the programme are compatible with the policy
guidelines expressed by Parliament. The amendment is therefore acceptable if reworded
as follows: "Whereas it is necessary to devote particular attention, at the level of
implementation of the programme, to the risks of abuse of multimedia content in such
pernicious areas as racism, illegal pornography and other criminal activities;"

Amendment 21 is acceptable as regards the first two parts, in that it makes useful
additions. In the third part, however, while the remarks about encouraging the
development of demand amongst certain user groups is acceptable, the reference to
certain categories (women, the disabled, associations, NGOs) is too specific in this

context.

Amendment 30 is acceptable except for the first point ("and the potential offered by
women in the subsequent development of such technologies") and the last point ("The
Commission will assist the Member States ..."). The first point confuses the general and
the particular and makes it difficult to grasp the real imperatives of the Green Paper. The
last point seems hardly compatible with the principle of subsidiarity and would require
financial resources not provided for in the proposed budget.

Amendment 37 is acceptable provided the specific reference to the United States is
deleted.

The first two parts of Amendment 38 provide useful rewordings and additions. As
regards the second last change (development of new software packages), the Commission
cannot accept this addition for the reasons set out for Amendment 45. Lastly, in the case
of the final change, the proposed measure duplicates the measures taken under the Green
Paper on copyright and neighbouring rights in the information society.

Amendment 50 is welcome, in that it proposes that the support received for the products
emanating from a project receiving financial support should be acknowledged. The
inclusion of the European Union flag, however, is not acceptable, since it could create
ambiguity by giving the impression of a quality label.

3.3 Amendments which the Commission cannot accept:

This concerns Amendments 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32,
35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49 and 52.

Amendment 2 raises the risk of duplication with other programmes, in particular the
Telematics Applications programme, in that it states that the actions should support the
development of applications serving the purposes of health, education, training and
regional planning.

A new recital giving special treatment to associations and NGOs, as proposed in
Amendment 3. is not justified in the light of the general nature of the recitals.

Contrary to Amendment 10. the Commission considers that adapting the individual
projects to developments in the market is essentially a matter for the partners in each
project. On the other hand, the Commission must ensure that the proposed programme
adapts to developments in the market, in particular by updating the criteria for calls for
proposals.

Amendment 11. which lays down a principle of strict reciprocity in implementing the
programme in cooperation with third countries or international organisations, seems too
specific. There is no such statement in other Community programmes.

Amendment 12 is unacceptable to the Commission as the proposed text is not in line with
the standard text set out in Annex II, point 2. A, of the Joint Declaration of the European
Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995 concerning the
incorporation of financial provisions into legislative acts. However, the Commission
accepts the introduction of a recital and a provision adapted to and in conformity with the
aforementioned Declaration.

Amendment 13 is not in line with the Commission's general policy on the point in
question.

Amendment 14 increases the annual budgetary resources by reducing the duration of the
programme. The Commission shares the view that the programme requires substantial

budgetary resources in order to achieve its objectives. However, the budgetary
consequences of the proposed amendment are incompatible with the overall financial
planning and conflict with the financial outlook in heading 3. For these reasons the
Commission cannot accept the amendment. The Commission nevertheless welcomes the
support it demonstrates for its position vis-à-vis the Council on the budget for the

programme.

Amendment 16 does not appear to introduce any additional elements over and above
what is already provided for in the financial statement and Annex 3. At the technical
level, it would also be preferable to make a general reference to the Financial Regulation
(instead of the specific reference to Article 57) and to bring the terminology of the
amendment into line with that used in Article 57 of the Financial Regulation.

Amendment 18 does not introduce any new element over and above the current practice
and regulations.

Amendment 19. setting 30 September 1997 as the date for submission of the evaluation
report, is undesirable. The deadline is too short and will reduce the value of the mid-stage
evaluation report, as it will take into consideration only the results obtained over the first
twelve months, and that is an inadequate reference period. Moreover, because of their
procedural complexity, there is a risk that the arrangements for appointing the
independent experts will result in a further reduction in the reference period.

Amendment 23 adds a function which lies outside the tasks of the organisations in the
network and which is largely undertaken through other channels.

Amendment 24 adds nothing useful, since the present wording does not exclude the
organisations mentioned.

Amendment 25 makes a statement which concerns action 4.3 rather than action 1.1.

Although the Commission largely welcomes the substance of the amendment, it
considers that this aspect is covered by the present wording of action 4.3.

The Commission considers that action 1.2 must be maintained, in contrast to the
objective of Amendment 26. Its proposed deletion appears to be inspired more by budget
considerations than by genuine reasons of justification or problems of implementation.

The Commission considers the elements of Amendment 29 of relevance to the debate

which will take place on the Green Paper on access to, dissemination and exploitation of
public-sector information. However, it would be better not to be too prescriptive as
regards the Green Paper.

Amendment 31. concerning an information system on information, adds a statement
which is of little use, as it is already included in the notion of a directory.

Amendment 32 proposes a wording which is too specific as regards women's interests
and too restrictive as regards the concept of an electronic public space (virtual reality),
which should not be limited to the directories aspect.

The new wording of the title of Action Line 3.1, as proposed by Amendment 35. is not
fundamentally different from that proposed by the Commission. The Commission prefers
to retain the initial wording for reasons of consistency with its position on Amendments
38, 40 and 45.

Amendment 36 is redundant in relation to Amendment 8 and makes a superfluous and
unbalanced statement.

Amendment 40 deletes the three fields identified as being of strategic importance, in
which the production of multimedia information content must be stimulated.
Coordination structures are already covered by action 1.2. Finally, the emphasis placed
on multimedia products which are easily adaptable from one Member State to the other is
already adequately expressed in the wording of section 3.1 (multilingual and
multicultural European approach).

The first change (risk of diversity in the range of products) introduced by Amendment 41
relates more to the discussions of the public or private information circles. The second
element (particular attention to be devoted to small producers) seems largely redundant in
view of the preceding sentence in the text of point 3.1.

Amendment 42 proposes a mechanism which the Commission cannot accept for the
implementation of Action Line 3.1. However, the Commission considers the idea
interesting and worthy of a more detailed study which can be undertaken under the
proposed Action Line 4.1.

The Commission considers that the particular attention to be devoted to the legal
conditions for transferring information public sector information to the private sector, as
set out in Amendment 43. should be dealt with under Action Line 2 and not at the

specific level of Action Line 3.2.

Amendment 45 aims to establish a new Action Line 3 relating to the development of new
software packages. This measure is not part of INFO 2000, since it is covered by the
fourth framework programme of research and development (IT, ACTS, Telematics).

Amendment 46 is not acceptable, as the text of the preamble is not in line with the
proposed measures.

Amendment 48 proposes a new breakdown of the budget which the Commission cannot
accept. The Commission is aware of the need to increase the resources for Action Line 3
at the expense of Action Line 1 and can agree with the thrust of the proposed change.
However, the Commission considers that the proposed percentage spread is too
restrictive. The Commission therefore proposes the following breakdown:

**.i-i«*w.,Vi..^P**

- action line 1 (stimulating demand and raising awareness): 20-30%,

- action line 2 (exploiting Europe's public sector information): 18-23%,

- action line 3 (triggering European multimedia potential): 43-55%,

- action line 4 (support actions): 7-12%.

Amendment 49 cannot be accepted for the following reasons. It is not desirable to replace
"call for proposals" with "call for tender" in point 3 of Annex III, since this point
concerns shared-cost projects for which the Community's financial contribution will not
be more than 50% of the cost of the project. As regards point 4, the Commission's text
aims to allow the cofinancing of projects submitted in the form of unsolicited proposals,
outside the formal framework of a call for proposals. The amendment does not cover this
eventuality and should be rejected.

Amendment 52 introduces an unacceptable procedural complexity.

4. Conclusion

The Commission recommends that the Council approve the amended proposal contained
in Annex .

**Original proposal**

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Community, and in particular Article 130
paragraph 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission

Having regard to the opinion of the European
Parliament _@)_ _t_

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee @)

Whereas the European content industry can make a
significant contribution to the stimulation of growth,
to the strengthening of competitiveness and to the
development of employment in the Community, as
indicated in the White Paper on "Growth,
competitiveness, employment - The challenges and
ways forward into the 21st century" W,

Whereas the European Council at Brussels on 10-11
December 1993 decided, on the basis of that White
Paper, to implement an action plan, consisting of
concrete measures at both Union and Member States

level, notably with respect to information
infrastructures and new applications, for which new
content is required;

(1) OJN°
(2) OJN°
(3) OJN°
(4) 'Growth, competitiveness, employment

The challenges and ways forward into the 21st
century', COM(93)700 final of 5.12.1993, Chapter
5A The information society'.

**Modified proposal**

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Community, and in particular Article 130
paragraph 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission
(1).

Having regard to the opinion of the European
Parliament @),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee @)

Whereas the European content industry can make a
significant contribution to the stimulation of growth,
to the strengthening of competitiveness and to the
development of employment in the Community, as
indicated in the White Paper on "Growth,
competitiveness, employment - The challenges and
ways forward into the 21st century" (4),

Whereas the European Council at Brussels on 10-11
December 1993 decided, on the basis of that White
Paper, to implement an action plan, consisting of
concrete measures at both Union and Member States

level, notably with respect to information
infrastructures and new applications, for which new
content is required;

(1) OJN°C 250, 26.9.1995, p.4
(2) OJ N°
(3) OJN°C82, 19.3.1996, p. 36
(4) 'Growth, competitiveness, employment - The
challenges and ways forward into the 21st century',
COM(93)700 final of 5.12.1993, Chapter 5A The
information society'.

###### **3**

Whereas the European Council at Corfu on 24-25
June 1994 took note of the Recommendations of the

High Level Group on the information society as
presented in the report "Europe and the global
information society"^); and underlined that the
Community and Member States have an important
role to play in bringing about the information society
by giving political impetus, by creating a clear and
stable regulatory and legal framework and by setting
an example in areas which come under their aegis;

Whereas the Commission's action plan " Europe's
Way to the Information Society - An Action Plan"(6)
recognises the importance of content and stipulates
that the Commission will propose ways to stimulate
the creation of favourable conditions for content

providers to adapt their skills and products to the
new multimedia environment and to stimulate

increased usage of new information services;

Whereas the Council on 28 September 1994 ( [7] )
underlined the particular urgency of the need to
enhance the global competitiveness of the European
content industry, taking account of the cultural
diversity and of the impact of these products on
society;

Whereas the European Council at Essen on 9-10
December 1994 underlined the importance of
content in bringing about the information society;

Whereas the Council Resolution on Culture and

Multimedia (**) 0 n 3-4 April 1995 underlined the
importance of multimedia for facilitating the
development of the content industry and improving
access of citizens to cultural heritage, as well as the
catalysing role of Member States and the Union in
the creation, production and distribution of high
quality cultural multimedia programmes;

(5) 'Europe and the global information society

- Recommendations to the European Council',
Brussels, 26 May 1994.
(6) COM(94)347 final of 19 July 1994 '
Europe's Way to the Information Society - An
Action Plan' .

(7) Conclusions of the 1787th Council meeting
9561/94 (Press 197), 28 September 1994.

**/Jo**

Whereas the European Council at Corfu on 24-25
June 1994 took note of the Recommendations of the

High Level Group on the information society as
presented in the report "Europe and the global
information society" w); and underlined that the
Community and Member States have an important
role to play in bringing about the information society
by giving political impetus, by creating a clear and
stable regulatory and legal framework and by setting
an example in areas which come under their aegis;

Whereas the Commission's action plan " Europe's
Way to the Information Society - An Action Plan"( [6] )
recognises the importance of content and stipulates
that the Commission will propose ways to stimulate
the creation of favourable conditions for content

providers to adapt their skills and products to the
new multimedia environment and to stimulate

increased usage of new information services;

Whereas the Council on 28 September 1994 ( [7] )
underlined the particular urgency of the need to
enhance the global competitiveness of the European
content industry, taking account of the cultural
diversity and of the impact of these products on
society;

Whereas the European Council at Essen on 9-10
December 1994 underlined the importance of
content in bringing about the information society;

Whereas the Council Resolution on Culture and

Multimedia (8) o n 3.4 April 1995 underlined the
importance of multimedia for facilitating the
development of the content industry and improving
access of citizens to cultural heritage, as well as the
catalysing role of Member States and the Union in
the creation, production and distribution of high
quality cultural multimedia programmes;

(5) 'Europe and the global information society Recommendations to the European Council',
Brussels, 26 May 1994.
(6) COM(94)347 final of 19 July 1994 ' Europe's
Way to the Information Society - An Action Plan' .

(7) Conclusions of the 1787th Council meeting
9561/94 (Press 197), 28 September 1994.

Whereas the three long-term strategic objectives of
the Union's content policy shall be to facilitate the
development of the European content industry; to
optimise the contribution of new information
services to growth, competitiveness and employment
in Europe; and to maximise the contribution of
advanced information services to the professional,
social and cultural development of the citizens of
Europe;

Whereas there are numerous barriers to the
development of a European multimedia content
industry and market, which are hindering the
transition towards an information society;

Whereas the Community needs to build on the strong
competitive position it has in some content sectors
and whereas its competitive position needs to be
strengthened in other content sectors;

Whereas the needs of users of information services,
particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises
and in the less favoured regions of the Community,
merit special attention;

Whereas provision should be made for measures to
encourage the participation of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in this programme;

Whereas the different rates of development in the
provision and use of information services in the
Member States deserve special consideration, having
regard to the internal cohesion of the Community
and the risks associated with a two-tier information
society;

(8) Audiovisual/Culture Council session nr
1841 of 3-4 April 1995, Council document 6072/95
of 24 March 1995

#### **_nn_**

Whereas the three long-term strategic objectives of
the Union's content policy shall be to facilitate the
development of the European content industry; to
optimise the contribution of new information
services to growth, competitiveness and employment
in Europe; and to maximise the contribution of
advanced information services to the professional,
social and cultural development of the citizens of
Europe;

Whereas there are numerous barriers to the
development of a European multimedia content
industry and market, which are hindering the
transition towards an information society;

Whereas the Community needs to build on the strong
competitive position it has in some content sectors
and whereas its competitive position needs to be
strengthened in other content sectors;

Whereas the needs of users of information services,
particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises
and in the less favoured regions of the Community,
and the public and their interests merit special
attention;

Whereas the provision of multimedia services should
respect the principles of equal access and the low
cost of certain basic services and should contribute to
the cohesion of, in particular, the geographically
disadvantaged regions of Europe;

Whereas provision should be made for measures to
encourage the participation of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in this programme;

Whereas the different rates of development in the
provision and use of information services in the
Member States deserve special consideration, having
regard to the internal cohesion of the Community
and the risks associated with a two-tier information
society;

Whereas Community actions undertaken concerning
the content of information should respect the Union's
multilingual character and encourage initiatives to
adapt the content of multimedia information in the
languages of the Member States;

(8) Audiovisual/Culture Council session nr 1841
of 3-4 April 1995, Council document 6072/95 of 24
March 1995

Whereas policy actions under this programme
aiming at strengthening the position of the European
content industry will be complementary to other
content actions, particularly those related to the
audiovisual sector (9);

Whereas any content policy actions must be
complementary to other ongoing national and
Community initiatives, as outlined notably in the
Commission's action plan "Europe's Way to the
Information Society - An Action Plan", and shall be
performed in synergy with the Commission's
education ( [10] ), training ( [n] ), RDT ( [12] ) and SME
(l-*) policies and initiatives;

(9) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July
1993 on an action plan for the introduction of
advanced television services in Europe;
COM(94)523 of 8 February 1995 'Politique Audiovisuelle. Créer un environnement favorable à l'essor

des entreprises de l'industrie européenne des
programmes (MEDIA2 1996-2000)'; Council
Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989

'Television without frontiers' (OJ N° L 298,
17.10.1989, p. 15).

(10) COM(93)708 final of 3 February 1994.

(11) Council Decision of 6 December 1994 (OJ N [c ]

L340, 29.12.1994, p.8).

**/ ) £**

Whereas the measures under the programme must
help to reduce the risks of exclusion of unskilled or
underskilled workers, the emergence of a dual
society, the widening of disparities between regions
and the increased isolation of the individual;

Whereas particular attention should be paid, when
implementing the programme, to the risk of abuse of
multimedia content in such pernicious areas as
racism, illegal pornography and other criminal
activities;

Whereas policy actions under this programme
aiming at strengthening the position of the European
content industry will be complementary to other
content actions, particularly those related to the
audiovisual sector (9);

Whereas any content policy actions must be
complementary to other ongoing national and
Community initiatives, as outlined notably in the
Commission's action plan 'Europe's way to the
information society - an action plan', and shall be
performed in synergy with programmes in the Fourth
Framework Programme (10) (programmes
concerned with advanced technology, technology,
advanced communications services and telematics)
and with the Commission's education (11), training
(12), cultural and SME (13) policies and initiatives,
and with the Structural Funds;

(9) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993
on an action plan for the introduction of advanced
television services in Europe; COM(94)523 of 8
February 1995 'Politique Audio-visuelle. Créer un
environnement favorable à l'essor des entreprises de
l'industrie européenne des programmes (MEDIA2
1996-2000)'; Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3
October 1989 'Television without frontiers' (OJ N°
L298, 17.10.1989, p. 15).

(10) Fourth Framework Programme of the European
Community activities in the field of research and
technological development and demonstration (1994
to 1998), adopted by the Decision N° 1110/94/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 26
April 1994 (OJN°L 126, 18.5.1994, p.l)
(11) COM(93)708 final du 3 février 1994.

Whereas progress of this programme should be
continuously and systematically monitored with a
view to adapting it, where appropriate, to
developments in the multimedia content market;
whereas in due course there should be an

independent evaluation of the progress of the
programme so as to provide the background
information needed in order to determine the

objectives for subsequent content policy actions;
whereas at the end of this programme there shall be
a final evaluation of results obtained compared with
the objectives set out in this Decision;

Whereas the actions in this programme will not in
any way prejudice the competition rules of the
Community;

Whereas it may be appropriate to engage in
international co-operation activities with
international organisations and third countries for
the purpose of implementing this programme;

Whereas it is necessary to fix the duration of the

programme;

Whereas progress of this programme should be
continuously and systematically monitored with a
view to adapting it, where appropriate, to
developments in the multimedia content market;
whereas in due course there should be an

independent evaluation of the progress of the
programme so as to provide the background
information needed in order to determine the

objectives for subsequent content policy actions;
whereas at the end of this programme there shall be
a final evaluation of results obtained compared with
the objectives set out in this Decision;

Whereas the actions in this programme will not in
any way prejudice the competition rules of the
Community;

Whereas the activities which may prove useful in
international cooperation with international
organizations and third countries for the purpose of
implementing this programme should be undertaken
with due regard to the criterion of mutual advantage;

Whereas it is necessary to fix the duration of the

programme;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION

(12) Fourth Framework Programme of the
European Community activities in the field of
research and technological development and
demonstration (1994 to 1998), adopted by the
Decision N° 1110/94/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 26 April 1994 (OJ N° L 126,
18.5.1994, p.l)
(13) COM(94) 207 final of 3 June 1994

(12) Council Decision of 6 December 1994 (OJ N [c ]

L340, 29.12.1994, p.8).

(13) COM(94) 207 final of 3 June 1994

**43**

Article 1 Article 1

A programme is hereby adopted with the following
objectives:

- Stimulate demand for, and use of, multimedia

content,

- Create favourable conditions for the development
of the European multimedia content industry,

- Contribute to the professional, social and cultural
development of the citizens of Europe.

A programme is hereby adopted with the following
objectives:

- Stimulate demand for, and use of, multimedia

content,

- Create favourable conditions for the development
of the European multimedia content industry,

- Contribute to the professional, social and cultural
development of the citizens of Europe.

Article 2 Article 2

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article
1, the following actions shall be undertaken under
the guidance of the Commission, in accordance with
the action lines in Annex I and the detailed

implementation arrangements set out in Annex III:

- stimulating demand and raising awareness,

- exploiting Europe's public sector information,

- triggering European multimedia potential,

- support actions.

Article 3

The programme shall cover a period of four years
from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999.

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article
1, the following actions shall be undertaken under
the guidance of the Commission, in accordance with
the action lines in Annex I and the detailed

implementation arrangements set out in Annex III:

- stimulating demand and raising awareness,

- making good use by the multimedia industry of
information held by the public sector,

- triggering European multimedia potential,

- support actions.

Article 3

The programme shall cover a period of four years
from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999.

Article 4 Article 4

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the
implementation of the programme.

2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply

to:

- the work programme,

- the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure,

- the content of calls for proposals,

- the measures for programme evaluation,

- any departure from the rules set out in Annex III,

- participation in any project by legal entities from
third countries and international organisations.

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the
implementation of the programme and for the
decisions to grant Community financial aid to the
projects selected.

2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply

to:

- the work programme,

- the content of calls for proposals,

- the measures for programme evaluation,

- any departure from the rules set out in Annex III,

- consideration of the objective information
facilitating the participation in any project by legal
entities from third countries and international

organizations.

Article 5 Article 5

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee
of an advisory nature composed of the
representatives of the Member States and chaired by
the representative of the Commission.

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee
of an advisory nature composed of the
representatives of the Member States and chaired by
the representative of the Commission.

**/)V|**

2. The Commission representative shall submit to
the committee a draft of measures to be taken. The

committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft
within a time limit which the chairman may lay
down according to the urgency of the matter
concerned, if necessary by taking a vote.

3. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in
addition, each Member State shall have the right to
ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

4. The Commission shall take the utmost account of

the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall
inform the committee of the manner in which its

opinion has been taken into account.

Article 6

At the mid-term and at the end of the programme,
the Commission shall submit to the European
Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once
the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined

it, an evaluation report drawn up by independent
experts on the results obtained in implementing the
action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission

may present, on the basis of those results, proposals
for adjusting the orientation of the programme.

Article 7

Participation in this programme may be open,
normally without financial support by the
Community, to legal entities established in third
countries and to international organisations, where
such participation contributes effectively to the
implementation of the programme and taking into
account the principle of mutual benefit.

Article 8

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

2. The Commission representative shall submit to
the committee a draft of measures to be taken. The

committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft
within **a** time limit which the chairman may lay
**down according** to the urgency of the matter
**concerned, if** necessary by taking a vote.

3. **The opinion** shall be recorded in the minutes; in
addition, each Member State shall have the right to
ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

4. The Commission shall take the utmost account of

the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall
inform the committee of the manner in which its

opinion has been taken into account.

Article 6

At the mid-term and at the end of the programme,
the Commission shall submit to the European
Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once
the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined

it, an evaluation report drawn up by independent
experts on the results obtained in implementing the
action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission

may present, on the basis of those results, proposals
for adjusting the orientation of the programme.

Article 7

Participation in the programme may be open,
without financial support from the Union budget, to
legal entities established in third countries and to
international organizations, where such participation
contributes effectively to the implementation of the
programme and taking into account the principle of
mutual benefit.

Article 8

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President The President

#### **/ir**

**ANNEXI** **ANNEX I**

**ACTION LINES FOR** **INFO2000** **ACTION** LINES **FOR** INFO2000

_ACTION LINE 1: Stimulating demand and raising_

_awareness_

Lack of awareness of the potential of the new
multimedia information products and services is an
important factor constraining demand. This action
line contributes to redressing that situation by adding
a European dimension to awareness and user-group
activities taking place at the national or regional
level. Specific attention will be given to favouring
demand development in less-favoured and peripheral
regions of the Union.

_1.1._ _Creating new markets by raising awareness at_
_the European level with specific user groups_

Under the IMPACT programme a network of
organisations in the Member States has been created
that have a responsibility for conducting awareness
and information campaigns in relation to new
information services. In different Member States this

role is performed by different organisations like
chambers of commerce, professional organisations or
public bodies. By working in a European network
these organisations are able to add a European
dimension to their activities.

Under INFO2000 this successful formula will be

continued and extended. The involvement of the

Community in the network as a catalyst and a coordinator adds value to the individual activities and

puts these activities in a clear European context.
Apart from financial support for specific activities
with a European dimension the Commission will
encourage the exchange of know-how and
experience, the use of common communication and
information facilities, and co-operation between the
various organisations in joint projects.

The organisations in the network will perform the
following tasks:

- provide access to information collections and
catalogues across the European Union;

- demonstrate and facilitate access to the European
information highways;

- advise users on the possible sources for satisfying
their multimedia content needs, both nationally and
internationally;

_ACTION LINE 1: Stimulating demand and raising_

_awareness_

Lack of awareness of the potential of the new
multimedia information products and services is an
important factor constraining demand. This action
line contributes to redressing that situation by adding
a European dimension to awareness and user-group
activities taking place at the national or regional
level. These awareness-raising activities must also
extend to members of the public who could easily be
sidelined on account of their personal or social
circumstances. Specific attention will be given to
encouraging demand development with certain user
groups and in less-favoured and peripheral regions
of the Union.

_1.1._ _Creating new markets by raising awareness at_
_the European level with specific user groups_

Under the IMPACT programme a network of
organisations in the Member States has been created
that have a responsibility for conducting awareness
and information campaigns in relation to new
information services. In different Member States this

role is performed by different organisations like
chambers of commerce, professional organisations or
public bodies. By working in a
European/international network these organisations
are able to add a European/international dimension
to their activities.

Under INFO2000 this successful formula will be

continued and extended. The involvement of the

Community in the network as a catalyst and a coordinator adds value to the individual activities and

puts these activities in a clear European context.
Apart from financial support for specific activities
with a European dimension the Commission will
encourage the exchange of know-how and
experience, the use of common communication and
information facilities, and co-operation between the
various organisations in joint projects.

The organisations in the network will perform the
following tasks:

  - provide access to information collections and
catalogues across the European Union;

  - demonstrate and facilitate access to the European
information highways;

  - advise users on the possible sources for satisfying
their multimedia content needs, both nationally and
internationally;

_**s\G**_

- organise co-ordinated European awareness
campaigns at the national or regional level;

- stimulate the training of users.

The main target groups for the actions will be small
and medium-sized companies and libraries. The
actual selection of specific target groups will be left
to the national and regional organisations concerned,
since they are closest to the target groups.

Following a call for proposals a total of 30 to 50
organisations will be selected to participate in the
network. Selection criteria will include knowledge of
the local information market, affinity with the target
groups foreseen and readiness to work in a European
network. Actions which aim to stimulate women's

interests in new information services are encouraged.

The network will co-operate with other relevant
national organisations. It will liaise closely with
other EU supported bodies and networks that have a
complementary mission, such as the Information
Society Project Office (ISPO), the European
Information Centres (EICs), the Business Cooperation Network (BC-NET), the Value Relay
Centres and the University Enterprise Training
Partnerships (UETPs). Organisations from these
networks could be selected in the call for proposals.
Efforts will be made to avoid parallel or overlapping
networks. Synergy and spin-offs will be sought with
other awareness activities performed under the 4th
Framework research programme such as the
Advanced Communication Technologies and
Services and Telematics applications programmes.

_1.2. Encouraging clusters of pan-European users_

A flourishing demand side is important for the
development of a healthy market for advanced
information products and services such as
multimedia. In view of the rapid changes taking
place in the information market, regular dialogue
between suppliers and users can smooth the
transition process. In general the supply side tends to
be better organised than the user side, both at the
national and at the European level. In two of the
three sectors that compose the multimedia industry information technology and telecommunications the user side is increasingly organising itself both at
the national and at the European level.

- organise co-ordinated European awareness
campaigns at the national or regional level;

- stimulate the training of users.

The main target groups for the actions will be small
and medium-sized companies, libraries,
documentation centres and contact points and
information desks. On the basis of these criteria, the
national and regional organizations concerned, since
they are closest to these target groups, will carry out
the actual selection.

Following a call for proposals a total of 30 to 50
organisations will be selected to participate in the
network. Selection criteria will include knowledge of
the local information market, affinity with the target
groups foreseen and readiness to work in a European
network. Actions which aim to stimulate women's

interests in new information services are encouraged.

The network will co-operate with other relevant
national organisations. It will liaise closely with
other EU supported bodies and networks that have a
complementary mission, such as the Information
Society Project Office (ISPO), the European
Information Centres (EICs), the Business Cooperation Network (BC-NET), the Value Relay
Centres and the University Enterprise Training
Partnerships (UETPs). Organisations from these
networks could be selected in the call for proposals.
Efforts will be made to avoid parallel or overlapping
networks. Synergy and spin-offs will be sought with
other awareness activities performed under the 4th
Framework research programme such as the
Advanced Communication Technologies and
Services and Telematics applications programmes.

_1.2. Encouraging clusters of pan-European users_

A flourishing demand side is important for the
development of a healthy market for advanced
information products and services such as
multimedia. In view of the rapid changes taking
place in the information market, regular dialogue
between suppliers and users can smooth the
transition process. In general the supply side tends to
be better organised than the user side, both at the
national and at the European level. In two of the
three sectors that compose the multimedia industry information technology and telecommunications the user side is increasingly organising itself both at
the national and at the European level.

_**^**_

In the third sector of the multimedia industry - the
content industry - the demand side is much less
organised and is fragmented. Historically, the
relationship between the content providers and the
users has been indirect, i.e. through intermediaries.
However, under the influence of the new
communication networks this situation is changing.
The need to develop direct relations between
suppliers and users is increasingly being felt in the
content sector also. At the national level,
professional organisations and industry sector
organisations are beginning to address the issue.
However, for a successful development of the
European multimedia content market it is important
that groupings of users also emerge at the European
level.

The actions foreseen under INFO2000 aim to

stimulate this process by providing incentives for cooperation and exchange of experience between
national user groups, thereby encouraging the
emergence of European groupings. Specific
measures will be tailored to address key user
problems, for example quality assurance and
questions of liability. The network of awareness
organisations will be used to analyse the situation in
individual Member States and will play a catalytic
role in bringing about pan-European user groups.

_ACTION LINE 2: Exploiting_ _Europe's_ _public_
_sector information_

Europe's public sector information is a hidden
resource to be exploited. The public sector collects
and produces vast amounts of information, much of
which is of interest to individuals and businesses,

and which can be the raw material for value-added

information services produced by the private sector
content industry. Official statistical services either at
regional, national or European level are an example.

Three sets of actions will be particularly helpful in
supporting this public sector role and in exploiting
its potential at European level:

- developing policies to access and exploit public
sector information,

- linking directories of European public sector
information,

- making use of content resources in the public

sector.

Particular attention will be given to improving
access from the peripheral regions of the Union.

_2.1._ _Developing policies to access and exploit_
_European public sector_ _information_

_**A**_ _**%**_

In the third sector of the multimedia industry - the
content industry - the demand side is much less
organised and is fragmented. Historically, the
relationship between the content providers and the
users has been indirect, i.e. through intermediaries.
However, under the influence of the new
communication networks this situation is changing.
The need to develop direct relations between
suppliers and users is increasingly being felt in the
content sector also. At the national level,
professional organisations and industry sector
organisations are beginning to address the issue.
However, for a successful development of the
European multimedia content market it is important
that groupings of users also emerge at the European
level.

The actions foreseen under INFO2000 aim to

stimulate this process by providing incentives for cooperation and exchange of experience between
national user groups, thereby encouraging the
emergence of European groupings. Specific
measures will be tailored to address key user
problems, for example quality assurance and
questions of liability. The network of awareness
organisations will be used to analyse the situation in
individual Member States and will play a catalytic
role in bringing about pan-European user groups.

_ACTION LINE 2: Making good use by the_
_multimedia industry of information held by the_
_public sector_

Europe's public sector information is a substantial
resource to be made use of by the multimedia
industry. The public sector collects and produces vast
amounts of information, which can be the raw

material for value-added information services for the

benefit of individuals and businesses. Official

statistical services either at regional, national or
European level are an example.

Three sets of actions will be particularly helpful in
supporting this public sector role and in exploiting
its potential at European level:

- developing policies to access and exploit public
sector information,

- linking directories of European public sector
information,

- making use of content resources in the public

sector.

Particular attention will be given to improving
access from the peripheral regions of the Union.

_2.1._ _Developing policies to access and exploit_
_European public sector information_

In the Member States, rules for access to public
sector information are very different or in some cases
do not exist at all. As the transition to the

information society progresses, this situation could
become a barrier to full participation by individuals
and businesses across Europe and may become the
cause of unevenly distributed opportunities.
Therefore, initiatives need to be taken at the
European level to develop policies which facilitate
access to and exploitation of public sector held
information, in particular as regards information
resources of European interest.

The Commission will produce, in close collaboration
with Member States and market actors, a Green
Paper analysing the situation in the different
Member States, the relative position of the EU in a
global context and the various possibilities for
convergence of national approaches. To lay the
foundations for this Green Paper, studies comparing
national situations will be undertaken and exchanges
of national experience will be encouraged.

_2.2._ _Linking directories of European public sector_
_information_

In a number of Member States practical initiatives
are being taken to improve access to public sector
information. In the European information society it
must be ensured that the relevant public sector
information becomes more easily accessible to all
European individuals and businesses that may have
an interest in such information.

The Commission will support initiatives to produce
directories of European public sector information to
a common format, so that they can be interlinked
and easily accessed from any point in Europe.

In the Member States, rules for access to public
sector information are very different or in some cases
do not exist at all. As the transition to the

information society progresses, this situation could
become a barrier to full participation by individuals
and businesses across Europe and may become the
cause of unevenly distributed opportunities.
Therefore, initiatives need to be taken at the
European level to develop policies which facilitate
access to and exploitation of public sector held
information, in particular as regards information
resources of European interest. Particular attention
will be given to the legal conditions for transferring
public sector information to the private sector, in
order to preserve and safeguard the public sector's
rights on information which it collects and produces.

The Commission will produce, in close collaboration
with the Member States and market actors, a Green
Paper analysing the situation in the different
Member States, the relative position of the EU in a
global context and the various possibilities for
convergence of national approaches. To lay the
foundations for this Green Paper, studies comparing
national situations will be undertaken and exchanges
of experience will be encouraged. In this context, the
experience that emerges following the Commission
Communication on universal service should be taken

into account.

On the basis of the Green Paper, the Commission
will submit proposals to ensure the convergence of
national proposals and to strengthen the rules
governing access to public sector information.
It should be noted that the development of the
information systems of libraries and information
services will promote the use of content, since these
services themselves produce important information
about information (secondary information) by
recording the materials produced in a variety of

areas.

_2.2._ _Linking directories of European public sector_
_information_

In a number of Member States practical initiatives
are being taken to improve access to public sector
information. In the European information society it
must be ensured that the relevant public sector
information becomes more easily accessible to all
European individuals and businesses that may have
an interest in such information.

The Commission will support initiatives to produce
directories of European public sector information to
a common format, so that they can be interlinked
and easily accessed from any point in Europe.

**/)2>**

Following a call for proposals, pilot projects for the
production of information directories that
incorporate the above characteristics will be
supported. These pilot projects may address the
transnational interconnection of existing national or
regional information directories as well as the
collaborative production of new directories. Pilot
projects based on public/private partnerships and
applying multilingual solutions will be particularly
encouraged.

_2.3._ _Making use of content resources in the public_

_sector_

Europe is blessed with a rich stock of what might be
called "information collections" under public sector
control, for instance in museums, libraries, copyright
and patent deposit systems, educational and training
bodies, historical archives and architectural and
industrial objects. These information collections
need to be exploited if Europe is to build on these
cultural and economic assets commercially and if
Europe is to realise the potential of advanced
technologies in support of public sector services.
They are central to the Union's strength in the global
information society and their commercial and
strategic potential has already been underlined by a
scries of deals transferring control over some of them
to private companies, not all of which have been
European.

Most of these information collections are still in

analogue form but they are increasingly being
digitised. The INFO2000 programme aims at
mobilising these digital collections for exploitation
by the private sector.

To this end the Commission will support the creation
of European inventories of digital information
collections and stimulate their interconnection across

the EU. This involves defining a common standard
format for such inventories as well as integrating
them with intellectual property rights trading
systems. Support for the creation of inventories and
their integration with intellectual property rights
trading systems will be provided on the basis of calls
for proposals. Related standards and specifications
will be developed through studies and through task
groups composed of the actors involved.

Following a call for proposals, pilot projects for the
production of information directories that
incorporate the above characteristics will be
supported. These pilot projects shall make it a
priority to address the transnational interconnection
of existing national or regional information
directories and the collaborative production of new
directories, depending particularly on their degree of
economic and social usefulness. Pilot projects
applying multilingual solutions will be particularly
encouraged.

_2.3._ _Making use of content resources in the public_

_sector_

Europe is blessed with a rich stock of what might be
called "information collections" under public sector
control, for instance in museums, libraries, copyright
and patent deposit systems, educational and training
bodies, historical archives and architectural and
industrial objects. These information collections
need to be exploited if Europe is to build on these
cultural and economic assets commercially and if
Europe is to realise the potential of advanced
technologies in support of public sector services.
They are central to the Union's strength in the global
information society and their commercial and
strategic potential has already been underlined by a
series of deals transferring control over some of them
to private companies, not all of which have been
European.

The INFO2000 programme aims to facilitate the
transfer of these information collections to digital
form as well as their valorisation and exploitation.

To this end the Commission will support the creation
of European inventories of digital information
collections and stimulate their interconnection across

the EU. This involves defining a common standard
format for such inventories as well as integrating
them with intellectual property rights trading
systems. Support for the creation of inventories and
their integration with intellectual property rights
trading systems will be provided on the basis of calls
for proposals. Related standards and specifications
will be developed through studies and through task
groups composed of the actors involved.

_Triggering_ _European_

_ACTION_ _LINE_ _3:_

_multimedia potential_

_Triggering_ _European_ _ACTION_ _LINE_ _3:_
_multimedia potential_

##### **_do_**

The transition from "scribe to screen" is rapidly and
fundamentally changing **the structure of** the content
industry and the roles of **the** different players within
it. Internationalisation and multimedia are key words
in this respect. Content itself and new ways of
creating, packaging, distributing and marketing it
are increasingly becoming the key drivers behind
these changes.

Coping with these changes and exploiting the
opportunities that emerge is primarily the
responsibility of the industries concerned. However,
apart from a limited number of large corporations
that operate on a global scale, the present day
content sector in Europe is mainly made up of small
and medium size companies. These have difficulty in
dealing with a rapidly developing international
multimedia market and the speed with which the
changes take place. In addition the initial cost of
producing high quality multimedia titles is high and
the European market fragmented through cultural
and linguistic barriers. The critical mass needed to
recoup initial investments is therefore much more
difficult to reach.

This puts European multimedia publishers,
traditionally used to operating in a national or
regional setting, at a disadvantage compared with
their competitors from other parts of the world.
Exploitation of the single market potential will
become vital for global competitiveness.

This action line aims at mitigating these comparative
disadvantages for European producers in the
emerging multimedia market by:

- catalysing high quality European multimedia

content,

- favouring a practical approach to trading
multimedia rights

- developing and exchanging best business practice

The transition from "scribe to screen" is rapidly and
fundamentally changing the structure of the content
industry and the roles of the different players within
it. Internationalisation and multimedia are key words
in this respect. Content itself and new ways of
creating, packaging, distributing and marketing it
are increasingly becoming the key drivers behind
these changes. The development of new software
packages and new computerized resources, in
conjunction with the Community programmes on
information technologies, is essential if multimedia
authors are to create attractive and user-friendly
products in the best possible conditions of
productivity which make full use of the true potential
of the multimedia industry.

The rich cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe
can be used as a means of strengthening European
competitiveness.

Coping with these changes and exploiting the
opportunities that emerge is primarily the
responsibility of the industries concerned, the
present-day content sector is made up not only of
large corporations that operate on aglobal scale and
are expected to play a determining role in the
development of the multimedia industry but also of a
large number of small and medium-sized companies
which are often inventive and dynamic but often
have limited financial resources for the high initial
investment needed to produce and distribute highquality multimedia titles.
Hence the purpose of INFO2000 is to establish the
conditions to achieve real synergy in industrial terms
between the large multimedia corporations and small
businesses. This industrial policy must also seek to
meet the specific needs of a culturally and
linguistically fragmented European multimedia
market.

This puts European multimedia publishers,
traditionally used to operating in a national or
regional setting, at a disadvantage compared with
their competitors from other parts of the world.
Exploitation of the single market potential will
become vital for global competitiveness.

This action line aims at creating the best possible
environment to favour the development of the
multimedia industry in Europe and mitigate the
comparative disadvantages of the European market
by:

stimulating the production of European
multimedia products, incorporating the specific
characteristics of language and culture,

  - favouring a practical approach to trading
multimedia rights

   - developing and exchanging best business practice

_**Zs\**_

_**3.1 Catalysing high quality European multimedia**_

_**content**_

The production of high quality European multimedia
content will be stimulated in three strategic areas:
economic exploitation of Europe's cultural heritage,
business services for SMEs, and geographic
information. Under the IMPACT programme pilot
actions in these areas have illustrated the problems
connected with a pan-European approach and have
laid the foundations for further actions under

INFO2000.

Multilingual interactive multimedia products can
build on the wealth of available European content,
while overcoming language barriers and other
limitations of national and regional markets. Apart
from the economic benefits, strong European
business activity in this area is likely to contribute to
the safeguarding of cultural identity and linguistic
diversity. It will also increase the public's
understanding of European cultural diversity across
the Member States and regions.

In the areas indicated above - European cultural
heritage, business services for SMEs and geographic
information - calls for proposals will be launched to
provide support to the initial and pre-commcrcial
phases of pan-European multimedia content
developments. The support given should help the
companies concerned overcome the specific barriers
with respect to multilingual and multicultural (re)use
of content and to trans-national co-operation. These
initial phases would include product definition,
partner identification, cross-licensing negotiation,
planning of co-operative distribution etc. up to and
including the production of a prototype.

Support will be given to projects that demonstrate
the feasibility of a trans-European multilingual and
multicultural approach, contain a risk element, exert
a strong catalytic effect on the market and imply
substantial user involvement. Special add-on
incentives can be provided to encourage participation
by small and medium sized companies and
organisations from less favoured and peripheral
regions.

The calls for proposals will be co-ordinated closely
with the Community programmes RAPHAËL and
the Integrated Programme in favour of SMEs and the
craft sector, as well as with the sectoral policy
actions in the areas of Trade, Tourism and Social

Economics.

_**3.1**_ _Stimulating_ _the production_ _of_ _European_
_**multimedia products,**_ _incorporating the specif c_
_**characteristics**_ _of language and culture_

The production of high quality European multimedia
content will be stimulated in three strategic areas :
economic exploitation of Europe's cultural heritage,
business services for SMEs, and geographic
information. Pilot actions under the Impact
programme have revealed the importance of a coordinated approach to implementing these objectives
in a pan-European context.

Multilingual interactive multimedia products can
build on the wealth of available European content,
while overcoming language barriers and other
limitations of national and regional markets. Apart
from the economic benefits, strong European
business activity in this area is likely to contribute to
the safeguarding of cultural identity and linguistic
diversity. It will also increase the public's
understanding of European cultural diversity across
the Member States and regions.

In the areas indicated above - European cultural
heritage, business services for SMEs and geographic
information - calls for proposals will be launched to
provide support to the initial and pre-commercial
phases of pan-European multimedia content
developments. The support given should help the
companies concerned overcome the specific barriers
with respect to multilingual and multicultural (re)usc
of content and to trans-national co-operation. These
initial phases would include product definition,
partner identification, cross-licensing negotiation,
planning of co-operative distribution etc. up to and
including the production of a prototype.

The Info 2000 programme will promote the
development of multimedia products that are easily
adaptable from one Member State to the other, in
both linguistic and cultural terms. Support will be
given to projects that demonstrate the feasibility of a
trans-European multilingual and multicultural
approach, contain a risk element, exert a strong
catalytic effect on the market and imply substantial
user involvement. Special add-on incentives can be
provided to encourage participation by small and
medium sized companies and organisations from less
favoured and peripheral regions.

The calls for proposals will be co-ordinated closely
with the Community programmes RAPHAËL and
the Integrated Programme in favour of SMEs and the
craft sector, as well as with the sectoral policy
actions in the areas of Trade, Tourism and Social

Economics.

_**3.2. Trading multimedia intellectual property rights**_ _**3.2. Trading multimedia intellectual property rights**_

##### **_LI_**

Historically, the management of rights is organised
by sector (text, sound, image, video etc.) and by
country. With the dawning of the multimedia age
this situation is increasingly becoming a barrier to
the development of multimedia content markets, as
the time and effort that has to be spent on identifying
and acquiring the different rights increases steeply
with the number of data types involved and the
number of countries where right holders are located.
Small companies and new media start-ups suffer
most from the present system as they may wish to reuse existing material.

The development of pan-European multimedia
content often requires input from various Member
States. Effective and efficient mechanisms for

trading multimedia rights at the European level are
therefore essential for the development of the
European multimedia content industry.

A call for proposals will be launched inviting
proposals for pilot projects that lay the foundations
for cross-border trading of multimedia rights
electronically. In addition, studies will be launched
to determine how different intellectual property
rights trading systems for multimedia in Europe can
work together. As an aid to small and medium sized
companies practical tools will be developed on best
practices to acquire, exploit and protect multimedia
rights. The actions will build on the relevant
research and technological development activities
under the Fourth Framework Programme.

Although the difficulty of reaching consensus should
not be underestimated, in the longer term,
harmonisation and rationalisation of legal
requirements may be necessary.

_3.3. Developing and exchanging best practice_

Actions will be supported that aim at developing and
exchanging best business practice in the multimedia
content industry at the European level. Such actions
will include descriptions of business processes and
models relevant to the content industry, such as
procedures for intellectual property acquisition and
content asset valuation and management, and
exchange of experiences with multimedia consumer
panels to test and evaluate multimedia products and
services.

These activities will be implemented by means of a
combination of studies, workshops, seminars and
publications. The relevant organisations in the
European content industry will be closely involved.

_4. Support actions_

Historically, the management of rights is organised
by sector (text, sound, image, video etc.) and by
country. With the dawning of the multimedia age
this situation is increasingly becoming a barrier to
the development of multimedia content markets, as
the time and effort that has to be spent on identifying
and acquiring the different rights increases steeply
with the number of data types involved and the
number of countries where right holders are located.
Small companies and new media start-ups suffer
most from the present system as they may wish to reuse existing material.

The development of pan-European multimedia
content often requires input from various Member
States. Effective and efficient mechanisms for

trading multimedia rights at the European level are
therefore essential for the development of the
European multimedia content industry.

A call for proposals will be launched inviting
proposals for pilot projects that lay the foundations
for cross-border trading of multimedia rights
electronically. In addition, studies will be launched
to determine how different intellectual property
rights trading systems for multimedia in Europe can
work together. As an aid to small and medium sized
companies practical tools will be developed on best
practices to acquire, exploit and protect multimedia
rights. The actions will build on the relevant
research and technological development activities
under the Fourth Framework Programme.

Although the difficulty of reaching consensus should
not be underestimated, in the longer term,
harmonisation and rationalisation of legal
requirements may be necessary.

_3.3. Developing and exchanging best practice_

Actions will be supported that aim at developing and
exchanging best business practice in the multimedia
content industry at the European level. In particular,
the development of multimedia services which could
support the operations of SMEs should be promoted.
Such actions will include descriptions of business
processes and models relevant to the content
industry, such as procedures for intellectual property
acquisition and content asset valuation and
management, and exchange of experiences with
multimedia consumer panels to test and evaluate
multimedia products and services.

These activities will be implemented by means of a
combination of studies, workshops, seminars and
publications. The relevant organisations in the
European content industry will be closely involved.

_4. Support actions_

_**Z**_ **3**

The programme support actions aim at amplifying
the effects of the core actions of the programme by
addressing a number of horizontal issues relevant for
the programme as a whole.

_**4.1.**_ _**Observing and analysing the multimedia**_
_content_ _**market**_

At regular intervals senior experts from the content
industry, from user communities and from Member
States will be convened to monitor, analyse and
discuss the impact of multimedia on the content
industry and on the different actors in the
information value chain. When organising these
meetings modern multimedia information and
communication facilities will be used where possible.

The composition of the meetings will reflect the
various segments of content creation, distribution
and use within the European Union, as well as the
many regulatory aspects (e.g. personal data
protection) affecting the content dimension. They
will thus serve as a focus for discussion, exchange of
experience and co-operation between the various
sectors of the content industry, between European
and national policy makers, and between the supply
and user sides of the content market.

The meetings will focus on:

- long-term scenarios, updated whenever justified by
major international developments in markets,
technologies, industries and policies

- key issues of common interest to market actors
from different sectors and from different Member

States, such as legal aspects and quality assurance

- obstacles to market development and
recommendations to the industries, administrations

and users to overcome them

- the execution of INFO2000, making
recommendations on orientations and priorities.

Studies will be carried out to monitor changes in the
European and global content markets and provide indepth analysis of key issues.

_4. 2. Spreading the use of multimedia_ _content_
_standards_

Standards for the structuring and presentation of
information, and standards for content encoding,
including terminology, are essential in order to
facilitate the exchange of documents and
publications, and to enable the exploitation, access,
maintenance and re-use of content.

The programme support actions aim to underpin the
core goals of the programme and to reinforce the
effects of its principal measures. These measures
take account of the importance of developing a
legislative context that encourages harmonization
and standardization.

_**4.1.**_ _**Observing and**_ _analysing the_ _multimedia_
_**content**_ _**market**_

At regular intervals senior experts from the content
industry, from user communities and from Member
States will be convened to monitor, analyse and
discuss the impact of multimedia on the content
industry and on the different actors in the
information value chain. When organising these
meetings modern multimedia information and
communication facilities will be used where possible.

The composition of the meetings will reflect the
various segments of content creation, distribution
and use within the European Union, as well as the
many regulatory aspects (e.g. personal data
protection) affecting the content dimension. They
will thus serve as a focus for discussion, exchange of
experience and co-operation between the various
sectors of the content industry, between European
and national policy makers, and between the supply
and user sides of the content market.

The meetings will focus on:

- long-term scenarios, updated whenever justified by
major international developments in markets,
technologies, industries and policies

- key issues of common interest to market actors
from different sectors and from different Member

States, such as legal aspects and quality assurance

- obstacles to market development and
recommendations to the industries, administrations

and users to overcome them

- the execution of INFO2000, making
recommendations on orientations and priorities.

Studies will be carried out to monitor changes in the
European and global content markets and provide indepth analysis of key issues.

_4. 2. Spreading the use of multimedia content_
_standards_

Harmonization of standards is particularly relevant
to the provision of advanced information services to
European end-users. Standards for the structuring
and presentation of information, and standards for
content encoding, including terminology, are
essential in order to facilitate the exchange of
documents and publications, and to enable the
exploitation, access, maintenance and re-use of

content.

**z** **If**

The work started in this domain under the IMPACT

programme will be continued and extended. Actions
will be supported that raise awareness of and
stimulate the use of existing content standards
through workshops and electronic fora and by
publishing reports on paper and electronically.

_4.3._ _Encouraging skills development at European_
_level_

In order to stimulate skills development, the relevant
European associations will be encouraged to develop
and implement measures to equip the European
content providers with the necessary skills to enter
the age of multimedia and interactivity. Actions to be
supported will normally be based on a three-staged
approach:

- identification of the most urgent training needs

- development of pilot courses to test the
effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed actions

- launching of the activities in the relevant parts of
the content industry and in the educational and
training systems.

The first two steps could be supported under
INFO2000. The third step would fall within the
remit of programmes like SOCRATES and
LEONARDO, thus achieving important multiplier
effects.

The content industry will be extensively consulted in
order to identify urgent needs and key areas.
Representatives of universities and vocational
training establishments will be closely associated
with these initiatives. The role of the Community
will mainly consist of stimulating, co-ordinating and
enabling this process.

The work started in this domain under the IMPACT

programme will be continued and extended. Actions
will be supported that raise awareness of and
stimulate the use of existing content standards
through workshops and electronic fora and by
publishing reports on paper and electronically.

_4.3._ _Encouraging skills development at European_
_level_

In order to stimulate skills development, the relevant
European associations will be encouraged to develop
and implement measures to equip the European
content providers with the necessary skills to enter
the age of multimedia and inter-activity. In
education too, greater attention must be devoted to
the European cultural and linguistic heritage, so that
at a later stage more use can be made of products
and services provided by the content industry. In
European technological education greater attention
must be devoted to multi-media aspects. Actions to
be supported will normally be based on a threestaged approach:

- identification of the most urgent training needs

- development of pilot courses to test the
effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed actions

- launching of the activities in the relevant parts of
the content industry and in the educational and
training systems.

The first two steps could be supported under
INFO2000. The third step would fall within the
remit of programmes like SOCRATES and
LEONARDO, thus achieving important multiplier
effects.

The content industry will be extensively consulted in
order to identify urgent needs and key areas.
Representatives of universities and vocational
training establishments will be closely associated
with these initiatives. The role of the Community
will mainly consist of stimulating, co-ordinating and
enabling this process.

## **cs**

ANNEX H ANNEX II

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF

EXPENDITURE

1. Stimulating demand and raising awareness 3040%

2. Exploiting Europe's public sector information 1823%

3. Triggering European multimedia potential 3345%

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF

EXPENDITURE

1. Stimulating demand and raising awareness 2030%

2. Making good use by the multimedia industry of
information held by the public sector 18-23%

3. Triggering European multimedia potential 4355%

4. Support actions 7-12% 4. Support actions 7-12%

Total 100% Total 100%

This breakdown docs not exclude the fact that a

project could relate to several activities.

This breakdown does not exclude the fact that a

project could relate to several activities.

### **_U_**

ANNEX m ANNEX **III**

THE MEANS **FOR IMPLEMENTING**

**INFO2000**

1. The Commission will implement the programme
in accordance with the technical content specified in
Annex I.

2. The programme will be executed through indirect
action and wherever possible on a shared-cost basis.
The Community's financial contribution for sharedcost projects shall normally not exceed 50% of the
cost of the project, with progressively lower
participation the nearer the project is to the market
place. Special add-on incentives can be provided to
encourage participation by SMEs and less favoured
regions.

3. The selection of shared-cost projects will normally
be based on the usual procedure of calls for proposals
published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities. The content of the calls for proposals
will be defined in close consultation with the

relevant experts and according to the procedure
referred to in Article 5 of the Decision. The main

criterion for supporting projects through calls for
proposals will be their potential contribution to
achieving the objectives of the programme.
Implementation procedures will accommodate the
interests of all kinds of market operators and
facilitate their participation in the programme.

4. The Commission may also implement a more
flexible funding scheme than the call for proposals
in order to provide incentives for the creation of
partnerships, in particular involving SMEs and
organisations in less favoured regions, or for other
exploratory activities in different segments of the
multimedia content market. This scheme might be
operated on a permanent basis.

5. The Commission will make provision for
considering in exceptional cases unsolicited project
proposals which involve a particularly promising
and significant multimedia market development, a
highly innovative approach or an exceptional
technology or methodology, and which cannot be
submitted within the normal call for proposals
procedure. The objective of avoiding market
distortion will be maintained.

6. The detailed arrangements for the procedures
referred to under points 4 and 5 will be implemented
through the consultative committee procedure (type
I) and in accordance with the Commission's
financial regulations. They will be published in the
Official Journal of the European Communities.

**THE** MEANS **FOR** IMPLEMENTING

INFO2000

1. The Commission will implement the programme
in accordance with the technical content specified in
Annex I.

2. The programme will be executed through indirect
action and wherever possible on a shared-cost basis.
The Community's financial contribution for sharedcost projects shall normally not exceed 50% of the
cost of the project, with progressively lower
participation the nearer the project is to the market
place. Special add-on incentives can be provided to
encourage participation by SMEs and less favoured
regions.

3. The selection of shared-cost projects will normally
be based on the usual procedure of calls for proposals
published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities. The content of the calls for proposals
will be defined in close consultation with the

relevant experts and according to the procedure
referred to in Article 5 of the Decision. The main

criterion for supporting projects through calls for
proposals will be their potential contribution to
achieving the objectives of the programme.
Implementation procedures will accommodate the
interests of all kinds of market operators and
facilitate their participation in the programme.

4. The Commission may also implement a more
flexible funding scheme than the call for proposals
in order to provide incentives for the creation of
partnerships, in particular involving SMEs and
organisations in less favoured regions, or for other
exploratory activities in different segments of the
multimedia content market. This scheme might be
operated on a permanent basis.

5. The Commission will make provision for
considering in exceptional cases unsolicited project
proposals which involve a particularly promising
and significant multimedia market development, a
highly innovative approach or an exceptional
technology or methodology, and which cannot be
submitted within the normal call for proposals
procedure. The objective of avoiding market
distortion will be maintained.

6. The detailed arrangements for the procedures
referred to under points 4 and 5 will be implemented
through the consultative committee procedure (tjpe
I) and in accordance with the Commission's
financial regulations. They will be published in the
Official Journal of the European Communities.

**£~r**

7. Projects fully financed by the Commission within
the framework of study and services contracts will be
implemented through calls for tenders in accordance
with the Commission's Financial Regulations.
Transparency will be achieved by publishing the
work programme and circulating it to trade
associations and other interested bodies.

8. For the implementation of the programme the
Commission will also undertake preparatory,
accompanying and support activities designed to
achieve the general objectives of the programme and
the specific aims of each action line. This includes
activities such as: studies and consultancy in support
of this programme; preliminary actions in
preparation of future activities; measures aimed at
facilitating participation in the programme as well as
facilitating access to the results produced under the
programme; publications and activities for the
dissemination, promotion and exploitation of results;
analysis of possible socio-economic consequences
associated with the programme; and support
activities such as observation and analysis of the
multimedia content market, spreading the use of
multimedia content standards, and encouraging
skills development at European level.

9. Participation in this programme by international
organisations may be financed, in exceptional cases,
on the same basis as that of legal entities established
in the Community.

7. Projects fully financed by the Commission within
the framework of study and services contracts will be
implemented through calls for tenders in accordance
with the current financial provisions. Transparency
will be achieved by publishing the work programme
and circulating it to trade associations and other
interested bodies.

8. For the implementation of the programme the
Commission will also undertake preparatory,
accompanying and support activities designed to
achieve the general objectives of the programme and
the specific aims of each action line. This includes
activities such as: studies and consultancy in support
of this programme; preliminary actions in
preparation of future activities; measures aimed at
facilitating participation in the programme as well as
facilitating access to the results produced under the
programme; publications and activities for the
dissemination, promotion and exploitation of results;
analysis of possible socio-economic consequences
associated with the programme; and support
activities such as observation and analysis of the
multimedia content market, spreading the use of
multimedia content standards, and encouraging
skills development at European level.

9. Participation in this programme by international
organisations may be financed, in exceptional cases,
on the same basis as that of legal entities established
in the Community.

10.A11 projects receiving financial support under the
INFO2000 programme will be required to display an
acknowledgement of the funding received.

#### **2<g**

**ISSN 0254-1475**

##### **COM(96) 188 final**

# DOCUMENTS

EN 15 10

Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-196-EN-C

ISBN92-78-03164-X

**Office for Official Publications of the European Communities**

**L-2985** **Luxembourg**

### **_Z9_**