European Parliament wants to keep children safe while browsing the Internet
The European Parliament approved the agreement reached with the EU Council at second reading on actions to protect children from inappropriate content on the Internet. There was broad support for rapporteur Marielle De SARNEZ (ALDE, FR), who saw her recommendation on the protection of minors and human dignity and the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information service industry adopted without amendments.
[European Parliament News]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 12:39:00 PM] #
European Parliament sets new rules on TV commercials and product placement
The European Parliament backed a proposed overhaul of the advertising rules for TV channels in Europe, including a new approach to product placement. In widening the scope of the so-called Television without Frontiers Directive to all Audiovisual Media Services, MEPs also voted to include new means of broadcasting. Parliament agreed to allow breaks for commercials in movies and some other TV programmes every 30 minutes. Product placement should be soon legal all across Europe but subject to common EU wide limits.
[European Parliament News]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:33:00 AM] #
EU and USA sign new Agreement on Energy Efficiency of Office Equipment
The EU and the USA have signed a new Agreement to continue the ENERGY STAR program for office equipment for another five years. The Agreement features innovative and demanding energy efficiency criteria for computers, copiers, printers and computer monitors, and is expected to yield 30 TWh electricity savings - the approximate equivalent of the electricity demand in Hungary - in the EU over the next three years. ENERGY STAR is part of the Commission's strategy to better manage energy demand, contribute to the security of energy supply and mitigate climate change.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:25:00 AM] #
State aid: European Commission endorsed new German film fund
The European Commission has endorsed Germany's new film fund on the basis of EC Treaty state aid rules. The fund, which has a total budget of €180 million, provides direct grants to film producers to encourage the production of feature films, documentaries and animation films. Aid is only awarded in favour of films with cultural content, determined on the basis of a cultural test. The Commission's assessment of the scheme was based on the criteria set out in its 2001 Communication on state aid for cinema and audiovisual works. The scheme has been approved until 31 December 2009.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:17:00 AM] #
State aid: European Commission opens in-depth investigation into funding of Amsterdam broadband network
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the investment by the city of Amsterdam in a glass fibre telecommunications network. This investigation will enable the European Commission to determine whether the participation by the city, alongside private investors, constitutes state aid and, if so, whether such aid could be found compatible with the EC state aid rules. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments to the European Commission on the proposed measure. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:14:00 AM] #
State aid: European Commission concludes that award of third Czech 3G mobile phone licences not an aid
The European Commission has decided under EC Treaty state aid rules that the lower price at which the third 3G licence was granted by the Czech Government in 2005 did not involve state aid within the meaning of the EC Treaty. There was no discrimination against the winners of the first two licences in 2001.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:12:00 AM] #
State aid: European Commission decides Swedish digital terrestrial platform operator Teracom received no aid
The European Commission has concluded that the Swedish state-owned terrestrial network operator Teracom did not receive illegal subsidies under EC Treaty state aid rules in connection with the development of the digital terrestrial television platform in Sweden. According to complaints, Teracom received financial support from the Swedish State which was used to give digital terrestrial transmission in Sweden an unfair competitive advantage over other types of digital transmission platforms such as cable and satellite. However, the European Commission found these complaints to be unfounded.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 09:10:00 AM] #
Agreement on the state aid case with respect to the funding of ARD and ZDF in Germany
European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and Ministerpresidents Kurt Beck and Dr. Edmund Stoiber have announced that an agreement has been reached on the state aid case with respect to the funding of ARD and ZDF.
[Joint Press statement]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:43:00 AM] #
European Commission refers Hungary to European Court of Justice for failure to abolish restrictions on cable TV services
The European Commission has decided to refer Hungary to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with EC Treaty competition rules, and in particular the Commission Directive on electronic communications. Under the Directive, Hungary had to abolish all restrictions on the provision of electronic communications services, including broadcasting transmission services, by 1 May 2004. However Hungary has not yet abolished the provision of the Media Act that prevents cable TV operators providing cable TV services to more than one third of the Hungarian population. The referral to the European Court of Justice is the final step in the infringement procedure pursuant to Article 226 of the EC Treaty.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:39:00 AM] #
European Commission frees frequencies for short range wireless devices across the EU
Frequency bands used by everyday wireless devices such as garage door openers, wireless alarms, baby monitors, head phones and microphones will soon be harmonised throughout Europe as a result of two recent Commission Decisions. Life will be simpler as anyone in Europe will be able to use the same short range wireless product anywhere in the EU and manufacturers need only make one product for the whole internal market. For consumers this could mean lower prices. Radio frequencies for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices will be also harmonised. These electronic tags are increasingly used in businesses such as retail and logistics, tracking of goods and persons, security and alarm systems, etc.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:37:00 AM] #
European Commission takes steps to enforce EU telecom rules against France, Poland, Slovakia and Latvia
In a new round of proceedings against possible infringements of EU telecom rules, the European Commission has opened two new infringement cases against Poland. The Commission is also sending a reasoned opinion to Slovakia and Latvia, opening the second stage of infringement proceedings. The Commission is referring two Member States (France and Poland) to the European Court of Justice and closing one case against Latvia.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:31:00 AM] #
New round of infringement proceedings in electronic communications in the EU: What are the issues?
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:18:00 AM] #
European Commissioner Franco Frattini: Data protection and transfer of PNR data
European Commissioner Franco Frattini' speech on data protection and transfer of PNR data, European Parliament, Strasbourg, 13 December 2006
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 08:08:00 AM] #
Competition: European Commission statement on investigation on the TFT/LCD industry
The European Commission can confirm that on 8 December 2006, the Commission has sent formal requests for information to a number of thin film transistor/liquid crystal display (TFT/LCD) producers. The purpose of this investigation is to ascertain whether there is evidence of a cartel agreement and related practices concerning price fixing for these products which could be an infringement of EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices and cartels.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 07:53:00 AM] #
European Commissioner Viviane Reding: Why we need more consistency in the application of EU telecom rules
European Commissioner Viviane Reding's speech on why we need more consistency in the application of EU telecom rules, Telecom Italia Reception, Brussels, 11 December 2006
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 06:33:00 AM] #
European Economic and Social Committee issues an Opinion with regarding the bridging the broadband gap
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Bridging the Broadband Gap
[[2006] OJ C 318/222]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 06:21:00 AM] #
European Economic and Social Committee issues Opinion concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities
[[2006] OJ C 318/202]
[posted @ 12/23/2006 06:05:00 AM] #
Mergers: European Commission opens in-depth investigation into Universal’s take over of BMG's music publishing business
The European Commission has decided to open a full investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of the music publishing business of Germany’s Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) by Universal, a US-subsidiary of the French company Vivendi. The Commission’s initial market investigation indicates that the proposed merger would raise serious doubts as regards adverse effects on competition in the already concentrated music publishing market. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has 90 working days (until 27 April 2007) to take a final decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/10/2006 03:03:00 AM] #
European Commission approves proposed acquisition of AOL’s UK internet access business by Carphone Warehouse Group
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the UK internet access business of AOL by Carphone Warehouse Group plc of the UK. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/10/2006 03:00:00 AM] #
European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas: The e-Commission initiative within the context of EU
European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas's speech on the e-Commission initiative within the context of EU: e-governments - which legal framework, which technical and political challenges at the 1er Colloque International - Droit de l'Administration électronique, Paris, 7 December 2006
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/10/2006 02:39:00 AM] #
European Court of Justice: The distribution of a signal by means of television sets by a hotel to its customers is protected by copyright
While the mere provision of physical facilities does not as such amount to communication within the meaning of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of copyright and related rights in the information society, the distribution of a signal by means of television sets by a hotel to customers staying in its rooms, whatever technique is used to transmit the signal, constitutes communication to the public within the meaning of Article 3(1) of that directive. The private nature of hotel rooms does not preclude the communication of a work by means of television sets from constituting communication to the public within the meaning of Article 3(1) of Directive 2001/29.
[ECJ Press Release] [ECJ Ruling, Case C-306/05]
[posted @ 12/07/2006 01:43:00 AM] #
State aid in France: Tax credit for the creation of video games
State aid in France: State aid No C 47/2006 (ex N 648/2005) — Tax credit for the creation of video games — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty
[[2006] OJ C 297/19]
[posted @ 12/07/2006 01:30:00 AM] #
EU Council Conclusions on the Digitisation and Online Accessibility of Cultural Material and Digital Preservation
[posted @ 12/07/2006 01:26:00 AM] #
EIB supports Telefonica’s research and development
The European Investment Bank will support Telefonica's investments in R&D activities in the information society sector in Spain by providing EUR 400 million. The R&D activities will focus on applications for processes, products and technologies of fixed and mobile telecom networks and services. Investments will be located in research centres in Madrid, Barcelona, Valladolid, Granada and Huesca.
[EIB Press Release]
[posted @ 12/06/2006 02:04:00 AM] #
This week's ITU Conference in Hong-Kong and the new focus on the international dimension of Europe’s Information Society: Frequently Asked Questions
Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, is addressing, in an opening speech, the Telecom World 2006 conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Hong-Kong. For the European Commission, this ITU conference is seen as an opportunity to give a new focus on the international aspects of the EU's policies in the field of ICT research in which the EU will invest a further €9 billion from 2007 to 2013. Commissioner Reding, who has been meeting policy-makers and business leaders in Hong-Kong, also used her speech to announce her plans for a new EU strategy on the international challenges for Europe's ICT sector. She plans on this issue a Commission Communication to be adopted in 2008, based on a broad public consultation to be launched in the second half of 2007.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/06/2006 01:58:00 AM] #
European Commissioner Viviane Reding: The disruptive force of Web 2.0
European Commissioner Viviane Reding's speech on the disruptive force of Web 2.0: how the new generation will define the future at the Youth Forum of "Telecom World 2006", a conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Hong Kong, China, 3 December 2006
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/06/2006 01:52:00 AM] #
European Commissioner Viviane Reding: a European View on Telecommunications Policy
European Commissioner Viviane Reding's speech on connecting up the Global Village: a European View on Telecommunications Policy at the "Telecom World 2006", a conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Hong Kong, China, 4 December 2006
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/06/2006 01:27:00 AM] #
Common Position of the EU Council on the protection of minors and human dignity
Common Position (EC) No 24/2006 of 18 September 2006 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of minors and human dignity and on the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and on-line information services industry
[[2006] OJ C 295E/48]
[posted @ 12/06/2006 01:04:00 AM] #
European Parliament comes up with new proposals to reinforce the protection of children from internet hazards
One in two European children regularly surfs the internet and they are vulnerable to its dangers, which can range from pornographic images to violent and racist content. So how do we protect our children and teenagers from the hidden dangers of this vast new territory without exercising censorship or damaging freedom of expression? The European Parliament is coming up with new proposals to reinforce the rules already in force.
[European Parliament News]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 10:38:00 AM] #
Keep children safe while browsing the internet, say MEPs
The European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education and the Council of the European Union have reached an agreement on actions to protect children from inappropriate content on the Internet. On Tuesday morning the Committee adopted without amendments a second reading report by Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE, FR), on a proposed recommendation on the protection of minors and human dignity, and the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information service industry.
[European Parliament News]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 10:33:00 AM] #
European Commission and Finnish EU Presidency host a major conference on the EU, the media and new technologies
Key opinion formers from Europe's media will be joined in Helsinki next week by European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström for a stakeholders' conference, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, 4 and 5 December.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 10:25:00 AM] #
European Data Protection Supervisor warns EU Council not to lower EU citizen's rights in third pillar data protection
Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has issued a follow-up opinion to the proposal for a framework decision for data protection in the third pillar. Worried about indications that current negotiations in the Council of the European Union are leading to a fragmented and lowered level of protection for the citizens, the EDPS strongly urges the delegations to reconsider. The EDPS is concerned that legislation aiming at facilitating police and judicial cooperation might be adopted while the legal data protection framework is delayed and diluted.
[European Data Protection Supervisor Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 10:14:00 AM] #
European Commission opens in-depth investigation into acquisition of Alcatel Alenia Space and Telespazio by Thales
The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the acquisition by Thalès of France of Alcatel's shareholdings in the two space joint ventures Alcatel Alenia Space (AAS) of France and Telespazio of Italy, currently jointly controlled by Alcatel and Finmeccanica. The Commission's initial market investigation found that the proposed transaction gives rise to competition concerns because of the combination of Thalès's dominant position for Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs), a critical component for telecommunications satellites, and AAS's activities as a manufacturer of satellite subsystems and components, and as a satellite prime contractor. A decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has 90 working days (until 17 April 2007) to take a final decision on whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a significant part of it.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 09:57:00 AM] #
European Commission approves proposed acquisition of AOL’s German internet access business by Telecom Italia
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the German internet access business of AOL LLC by Telecom Italia S.p.A.. The European Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 09:52:00 AM] #
More interoperability needed to boost the European ICT industry's competitiveness
A strong priority for interoperability on all fronts is necessary to increase the competitiveness of the European information and communication industries. A report, adopted today by the European Commission's Task Force on ICT competitiveness and uptake, recommends a strong focus on developing digital and entrepreneurial skills, strengthening the internal market, reducing patent costs, and the promotion of lead markets through public procurement as well. The ICT Task Force is one of several Commission actions undertaken to create a more favourable EU business environment under the Growth and Jobs initiative. The Commission will follow up the ICT Task Force's recommendations in 2007 with proposals for specific actions, such as designing a long-term eSkills strategy and promoting interoperability.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 09:44:00 AM] #
Fighting spam, spyware and malicious software: EU Member States should do better, says European Commission
The European Commission today called on all regulatory authorities and stakeholders in Europe to step up the fight against spam, spyware and malicious software. Despite existing EU legislation to outlaw spam in Europe, Europe continues to suffer from illegal online activities from inside the EU and from third countries, the European Commission underlines in a new Communication. The Communication stresses that although internet safety is on the political agenda for some time, national authorities should step up their actions to prosecute illegal online activities.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 09:17:00 AM] #
European Commission asks UK regulator not to include inflated 3G auction costs in termination rates for mobile phone operators
In a letter sent to the Office of Communications ("Ofcom", the UK telecom watchdog), the European Commission expresses concerns as to how wholesale tariffs, charged by the five UK mobile operators for terminating calls to their customers, have been assessed. In the Commission’s view, Ofcom's proposed tariffs keep termination values higher than necessary due to 3G spectrum cost valuations which risk overestimating the costs. The Commission therefore asks the UK watchdog to reconsider the valuations. Ofcom's approach would be detrimental to fair competition in the UK's mobile market and lead to higher consumer prices for consumers.
[European Commission Press Release]
[posted @ 12/03/2006 09:03:00 AM] #