On March 24, 2010 the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property arranges its 4^th GRUR meets Brussels Workshop. The event is entitled Cultural flat rate, digital libraries, Creative Commons: What role for collecting societies in the 21^st century? and is part of a series of workshops that GRUR successfully started in 2005 with a speech by Commissioner McCreevy on the Future of the European Patent System. Since then, the workshops have become a recognised platform for a science-based exchange of views between representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, IP experts, academics, industry and interested circles on current issues of European IP law.

 

This year's workshop will to focus on the latest developments and the future of the European copyright system, especially the future role of collecting societies, against the backdrop of the cultural flat rate discussion, Google Books, Europeana and other digital library protects as well as new licensing concepts by Creative Commons and Europe's collecting societies. Panellists and participants will have the opportunity to discuss new options for constructive cooperation between the "players" that could work to balance the interests of authors and creators, right holders, users, science etc. The Commission's ongoing activities, especially the latest Reflection Paper of 22 October 2009, but also the CC NL - Buma/Stemra pilot project and new strategic approaches by collecting societies shall play a major role in the discussion.

For more information on the programme please click here. The event is free of charge but on invitation only. If you would like to receive an invitation please contact Ms Sandra von Lingen, Manager Legal & International Affairs, at GRUR´s head office via e-mail or phone , +49-221-650 65-155 or .

After the workshop, here you will find the following documents: