Parliament Adopts on First Reading Two Draft Bills to Amend Copyright and Related Rights Act

Yoana Vodenicharova

Bulgaria's debating chamber (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

18.09.2023 17:04

(BTA)

Parliament adopted on first reading two draft bills to amend and supplement the Copyright and Related Rights Act. One of the draft bills was submitted by the Council of Ministers on April 13, and the other one by Bozhidar Bozhanov MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria on May 23.

The bill to amend and supplement the Copyright and Related Rights Act is drafted for the main purpose of transposing Directive 2019/789 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 17, 2019, laying down rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting organisations and retransmissions of television and radio programmes, and Directive 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 17, 2019, on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market. In relation to the directives, EU Member States were obliged to transpose the two directives into their domestic law by June 7, 2021, at the latest. Due to the delay, proceedings have been brought against Bulgaria before the European Court of Justice.

The first draft bill focuses on digital and cross-border use of protected content by establishing mandatory exceptions and limitations to copyright aimed at protecting public interests in the "digital world". Special rules have been laid down to ensure the equitable remuneration of authors and artists.

The second draft bill relates to the publication of scientific literature, the fundamental purpose of which is the dissemination of knowledge to the broadest possible range of stakeholders. The amendments envisage the introduction of the right of authors (scientists) to publish their work in public, non-commercial repositories before or after their publication in scientific journals.

/DS/