site.btaDeputy PM Called to Protect Interests of Creators When Implementing EU Legislation in Bulgaria

Three international copyright organisations at the European and international level are calling on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel to protect the interests of creators in music, audiovisual and other arts in the implementation of European norms in the Bulgarian Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, Bulgaria’s organization of composers, authors and music publishers for collective management of copyright MUSICAUTOR reported on Friday.

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC), and the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA), have sent a special letter to the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In it, they demand an urgent reaction to the transposition of the latest EU directives - 2019/789 and 2019/790, the message reads.

The changes should provide guarantees for authors that they will receive fair remuneration to carry out their creative activity, generating a contribution to society, and that they will be able to defend their rights collectively against powerful media companies and technology giants, MUSICAUTOR said.

Currently, Bulgaria is one of the two countries that have not yet synchronised their legislation with that of the European Union regarding the protection of artists' rights. According to the international copyright community, while this delay prevents authors from reaping the benefits of the new European legal framework, it can be used as a strategic opportunity to more properly and carefully address the risks to creators, while correcting long-standing problems that exist in the UPLA.

In their letter, the organisations raise concerns about the Ministry of Culture's proposed bill to amend the copyright law. The international organisations are therefore appealing to Gabriel who, in her capacity as EU Commissioner, has been the driving force behind the implementation of a fair legal framework for artists in EU member states. CISAC, GESAC and SAA also point out that her support at the national level could be decisive in achieving a stable and functioning copyright system in Bulgaria in line with the European and international legal framework.