Copyright Obstacles to Exploiting Websites - A European View

The European Commission is proposing extensive changes to copyright legislation for member states of the European Union. These changes are aimed at protecting the rights of copyright owners in the electronic environment, whether using Websites, Internet or any other technology not yet devised. The paper will examine the latest situation as this legislation passes through its many stages and also draw out some of the implications of the digital television revolution as it begins to be available to the general public. Owners and users are fighting a major battle to retain the balance of copyright and the outcome is not yet clear.