There were 417 MPs in favor, 18 against and one abstention. The vote was preceded by stormy media and parliamentary discussions, as well as protests from some of the film community. After the announcement of the voting results by Marshal Szymon Hołownia, shouts of joy could be heard in the hall, although not all circles are satisfied with this bill. Now the document will go to the Senate.
“The press today is in danger of being starved by digital giants.” However, the amendments did not pass
On Wednesday, the Sejm debated the draft amendment to the Copyright and Related Rights Act. Publishers, including Agora, Wirtualna Polska and RASP, wrote a special letter to the deputies regarding the regulations. “The current draft is disadvantageous to Polish media,” they warned. On Thursday, June 27, the Sejm committee rejected, among others, the amendment taking into account the postulates of media publishers, which was submitted by the Left MP Daria Gosek-Popiołek.
– In this chamber, there is a lot of talk about free media and the importance of the fourth power. Today, the press is in danger of being starved by digital giants and of more journalists being laid off. This act can help all media, argued Daria Głosek-Popiołek.
What about royalties?
The amendment implements two EU directives regarding the use of works in the digital environment, i.e. in search engines, social media, streaming platforms and VOD. This means that royalties will be received by actors, scriptwriters, as well as performers of audiobooks and radio plays.
– The catalogue of professions that will be covered by royalties has also been extended to include performers of literary, journalistic, scientific, musical or verbal-musical works, and amendments have been introduced aimed at, among other things, setting a cut-off date from which the right to exploit works that are not commercially available may arise – said the rapporteur of the committee, KO MP Maciej Wróbel, in a speech at the Sejm committee.
“After a great mobilization of the entire community with the significant participation of members of the Screenwriters’ Guild, the act amending copyright and other acts guaranteeing creators royalties from the Internet was adopted by the Sejm in the third reading. Now it’s time for the Senate. We will also be there. And we will take care of Polish culture and our industry interests” – the Polish Screenwriters’ Guild is already voting in the Sejm.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
