The European Commission published a Green Paper as the basis for a debate on whether and how the regulatory framework needs to be adapted to allow European audiovisual industry to develop new business models, creators to find new distribution channels and European consumers to have better access to content throughout Europe.

The European Commission has opened a public consultation in order to gather views on how Europe can seize these opportunities and move towards a digital single market. The consultation is published together with a Green Paper on the initiative of Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, in agreement with Vice-President for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes and Androulla Vassilliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. The Commission calls for contribution from all interested parties on various aspects of online distribution of audiovisual works such as films, documentaries, TV dramas, cartoons etc. Replies can be submitted up until 18 November 2011.

The Green Paper assesses the pace of change that the audiovisual sector is undergoing as part of the internet revolution and how to best tackle the challenges this poses as well as how best to seize the opportunities a digital single market will offer creators, industry and consumers, such as new business models, more online services and better remuneration for right holders.

In addition, it discusses rights clearance for the online distribution of audiovisual media services. According to the Commission, an assessment is needed of the extent to which there are problems in this area, the precise nature of such problems and the policy options that could be considered. It also asks if additional measures should be taken at EU level to ensure the adequate remuneration of authors and performers in relation to online use of works and performances for which they hold rights. Moreover it deals with certain special uses of audiovisual works such as the public policy missions of film heritage institutions and access by persons with disabilities to cultural material.

The Commission's Green Paper is published in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy, the Twelve levers to boost growth and strengthen confidence, the Single Market Act and Commission Strategy for Intellectual Property Rights and the Digital Agenda for Europe, without forgetting the MEDIA programme. The results of this consultation will be for preparing, including a legislative proposal on collective copyright licensing, an examination of the framework set by the 2001 Information Society Directive, and a review of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Directive.