15/09/2003

Changes to the regulations on authors’ rights in Germany have come into effect from September 13. The new copyright rules have been introduced as a reaction to the technological developments of the last few years, especially with the expansion of digital technology, to encompass protection for authors whose work is also disseminated through the internet. The full outline of the new regulations is available in the official gazette. "Sanctions are liable against those people who offer or publish films, music or videogames available for downloading on the internet without prior authorisation, either professionally or privately and with or without profit” stressed the justice minister, Brigitte Zypries.

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There are also plans to provide further sanctions in the future against those who try to get round the new copyright rules, and the creation of new incentives for the inclusion of new technologies, like Digital Rights Management. These current regulations aren’t the end for the reform of the copyright laws: "We still have a lot of other projects planned to be introduced before the end of this legislative term – said the minister, Zypries - for example we want to completely reform the compensation system. The first stage of this process will be on September 16, when we’ll be holding a symposium to discuss the issue in collaboration with the Munich Copyright Institute".

(Translated from Italian)