Intellectual property, original works of art: resale right for the benefit of the author

The committee adopted the recommendation for second reading (codecision procedure) by Jürgen ZIMMERLING (EPP-ED, D) broadly approving the Council's common position, subjet to a few amendments. Whereas the Council text left it to the Member States to set a minimum sale price above which sales would be subject to resale rights, the committee suggested - with a view to harmonisation - a uniform minimum price of EUR 1000. It wanted to delete the provision setting a ceiling on royalty levels to be received by the artist, arguing that successful artists should not be penalised. Furthermore, it felt that the rate of the royalty (i.e. the percentage of the sale price) should never be lower than 1% of the sale price for amounts exceeding EUR 200 000. Lastly, the committee proposed that a transition period of 24 months (rather than 5 years as laid down in the proposal) be established for Member States to implement the directive. �