Extended Collective Licencing in the DSM Directive ‒ An Opportunity to Make Art. 17 DSM Directive Work?
Abstract Digital content is the core asset and currency of the internet. However, there is a common and well-founded perception that those who create this content do not participate in the revenue generated online as they ought to. Adequate protection by way of a modern and concise copyright regime is rightly deemed to be the answer to this dilemma. Accordingly, the legislator has made several attempts to keep pace with the technological developments of the last two decades. Still, it remains a struggle. The latest legislative amendment within European copyright law has created a very interesting tool kit. New liabilities and licensing obligations for major service providers come hand in hand with the opportunity to obtain extended collective licenses. Deploying these tools in a sensible and dovetailed way could be highly rewarding. The following article looks more closely into this opportunity.