Last week, the European Parliament was the scene of a huge controversy about authors’ copyright, mostly covering the use of musical, journalistic and literary material. In what way can such material created by you and I, be used by others over the internet? A resolution on the subject had taken long months to be drafted.
Right from the start I took the view that those who originate or publish creative work justifiably should be given protection, in the same way that a commercial company which develops new products for the market is given protection over the inventions that it launches. The text presented to Parliament discussed how such protection should be given.
In recent weeks, there arose against it a storm of protests. The resolution sought to greatly limit the freedom of internet users in their access to information and culture – so it was claimed. There arose also the claim that the proposals being made would enhance Google’s dominance in internet affairs. Like all other MEPs, I was bombarded with these messages, with consumer associations and Wikipedia devotees leading the vanguard. Meanwhile, one point I failed to understand was why Google too was lobbying against the resolution.
The vote went against it.
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Investigation
One expects that regarding the horrible murder of Mrs Daphne Caruana Galizia, public pressures – partly guided by good intentions, partly not – will continue during coming weeks and months. One expects too that eventually, the same pressures will weaken as other dramatic events take place.
It would be a mistake (but I doubt it will occur) if the authorities now slacken efforts to discover all those responsible for the murder. Many years ago, a high official in charge of criminal investigations in a leading European country confided to me that the more time passes over an inquiry of some very serious incident, the more should investigative resources be dedicated to it.
The pity is that there have been those who have gone all out to politicise the ongoing investigation of the murder. The matter should still be considered as a most serious exercise which must overcome all arising technical and legal challenges. One third of the problem has been solved as of now; in Slovakia where a similar case also happened, investigators remain in the dark. What still needs to be done here should be given total priority.
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Festas
Am I seeing things as they are or imagining them? Are summer festas still rolling or has the enthusiasm for them been peaking?
This is because less petards and less fireworks are apparently being heard and seen. Where festas have already been held, it looked like there were less street decorations while outdoor celebrations did not last as long as they frequently do.
The reason might be that it’s still early days – the festa season has just opened. It could be too that World Cup football games have made an impact. Two friends gave me these explanations even as they disagreed that there has been any decline in the enthusiasm for festas. Such a decline would not be too surprising after all; you have to assume that festas too can be subject to changes in fashion and habits.