On the occasion of Europe Day, and as the European elections draw nearer, GESAC, representing more than 1 million authors and creators from all artistic fields through its members, the authors’ societies, would like to express its gratitude to the outgoing European Parliament for the unwavering support given to strengthening authors’ rights and cultural diversity during its last 5-year mandate.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of MEPs, the minimum transparency obligations that are crucial to achieve the effective implementation of copyright/authors’ rights in a growing Generative AI market have been included in the AI Act. So far, generative AI companies have refused to provide any information on whether or how they collect citizens’ personal data and the works of authors and composers that feed their models, and have ignored calls to comply with EU rules on the use of such works as data. This should change now.
Moreover, the current Parliament has usefully laid down the foundations of possible future legislation that would on the one hand put an end to the coercive buyout practices imposed on music authors by US-based video-on-demand platforms, and on the other hand provide a fair, transparent, and sustainable music streaming market for creators.
There is still much to be done and GESAC looks forward to cooperating with the European Parliament that will be elected in June, the new Commission to be appointed in the autumn, and the Member States, with the aim of building a better and brighter future for authors in Europe.
Art is the embodiment of human expression, and authors are the source of the artistic creation that serves to foster both a culturally diverse society and a thriving economy in Europe.
GESAC extends its best wishes for the European elections!
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