Document(s): 

ACT publishes its position on territorial licensing

External link: 

http://www.acte.be/mediaroom/88/31/ACT-publishes-its-position-on-territorial-lic...

Author(s): 

Association of Commercial Television in Europe

Year of publication: 

2015

On the 25 March, the College of Commissioners held an orientation debate on how to make the EU's single market freedoms "go digital". Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, presented the main obstacles he has identified and the key areas the Commission will focus on in its Digital Single Market Strategy to trigger a real change for consumers and businesses. The outcome of the debate will prepare the Digital Single Market strategy to be unveiled in May.
It is no secret that Vice-President Ansip considers geo-blocking to be one of the main obstacles for realising the Digital Single Market and he refers to the abolishment of geo-blocking as a win-win solution for businesses and consumers alike.
However, the reality is that putting an end to the existing practices of territorial licensing would actually decrease rather than increase consumer choice and would also harm European businesses to the benefit of larger US content aggregators.
With this in mind, ACT publishes its position outlining these unintended consequences.