The Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU has reached a provisional landmark deal with the European Parliament to remove barriers to cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market.

The agreement, which still needs to be confirmed by both the Council and the European Parliament, will allow consumers who have subscribed or bought online content services in their home country to access it when temporarily present in another country within the EU, such as when they are away on holiday or business.

The new regulation will apply to online content services which are provided against payment of money. Free to air services, such as public broadcasters, will be able to benefit from the regulation provided that they verify the country of residence of their subscribers. 

Current obstacles to cross-border portability of online content services stem from the fact that the rights for the transmission of content protected by copyright and/or related rights, such as audio-visual works as well as rights for premium sporting events, are often licensed on a territorial basis. 

Commenting on the agreement, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said "Europeans travelling within the EU will no longer be cut off from online services such as films, sporting broadcasts, music, e-books, or games they have paid for back home. Together with the ending of roaming charges, this is important progress in creating a digital single market which benefits everyone."

More information about the reached Portability agreement is available on:  http://bit.ly/2knULf4