Maltese artists, authors, European creatives and our independent press need to be protected and fairly remunerated for the use of their work, Maltese MEP Alfred Sant told the European Parliament when voting in favour of the report on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.

Sant said the temptation of the consumerist approach is putting at risk the quality of the content available online.

“Caring about European writers and artists is both a guarantee and an incentive for quality-content, which will ultimately benefit the users,” remarked the Maltese MEP.

Sant said the tendency today is for Internet giants to capture the work of creators and use it in the framework of advertising activities. If nothing is done, there will be growing disincentives for creators to work.

“The proposed directive on copyright in the digital single market seems to offer a solution, as it is strengthening guarantees to authors. It guarantees economic transparency and despite controversies, the directive will not change the way content is shared on the internet. The legal foundations of copyright use remain the same. It will provide content-creators a safety net in case of abuses. Moreover, the directive provides exceptions to the use of works in non-commercial use such as heritage and educational institutions.” said the Maltese MEP.

After a first rejection in July, the text was voted again at the European Parliament and approved with 438 votes in favour, 226 against and 39 abstentions. This vote is considered a big step forward to adopt the necessary EU copyright reform in a digital context, while ensuring that Internet users enjoy their freedom of expression and that EU creators are protected - by notably being fairly remunerated for their work.