Harmonizing European Copyright Law

This book will provide analysis of the current state of play of and suggest
direction for future development of European copyright law and related rights.
The acquis communautaire is reviewed in depth, starting with an analysis of
the exact competence of the EC in relation to its declared policy ambitions
from the past to the present.

Next, the body of european copyright law is described. This is done not in the
traditional way, i.e. on a directive by directive basis, but following a
scheme of the principal elements that national copyright and related rights
law share (e.g. what is protected subject matter, who are beneficiaries, what
is the nature and extent of the exclusive rights and limitations, term of
protection). Of all principal issues, the degree and scope of harmonization is
analysed, put into the perspective of Member Statesand#8217; obligations under the
relevant international treaties (e.g. Berne Convention, Rome Convention, TRIPS
agreement, WIPO internet treaties).

In addition, a number of items on the European Commissions current
legislative agenda are subjected to a critical review, in light of our
findings on the successes and shortcomings of the harmonization process so far.