Copyright law and neighbouring rights, trans-frontier broadcasting by satellite: approval of the European Convention

OBJECTIVE: signing and approval of the European Convention relating to questions on copyright law and neighbouring rights in the framework of transfrontier broadcasting by satellite. SUBSTANCE: It is being proposed that the Council: - subject to approval of the Convention, should take the decision to sign the European Convention relating to questions on copyright law and neighbouring rights in the framework of transfrontier broadcasting by satellite, adopted by the Council of Europe on 16 February 1994, in order to cover the areas falling within the scope of Community law; and - take a further decision to approve the Convention on the basis of Articles 57(2) and 66 of the EC Treaty in conjunction with Article 228(2) thereof, after consulting Parliament. The Convention is open for signature by the Member States of the Council of Europe and other States party to the European Cultural Convention as well as by the EC. For the purposes of copyright and neighbouring rights, broadcasting by satellite is equated with transmission of signals by fixed-service satellite under conditions allowing direct reception by the general public.�