As part of the afternoon session of the International Conference “Copyright in the Spotlight,” held on March 7, 2025, the discussion focused on challenges and strategies in areas such as collective rights management, the impact of artificial intelligence on this field, and methods to combat online piracy.
Session 3: Current Challenges in Collective Management
Ms. Frantzeska Papadopoulou, Professor of Private Law, Stockholm University and Sofie Grettve von Rosen, Lawyer, Swedish Patent and Registration Office, explored Sweden’s collective rights management system, with a focus on governance, control, and accountability. They examined the impact of historical structures on the implementation of EU directives and discussed the evolving roles of organizations with reference to the Swedish film industry.
See the presentation of Frantzeska Papadopoulou and Sofie Grettve von Rosen here.
Mr. Bernt Hugenholtz, Professor Emeritus, University of Amsterdam, presented the CJEU’s decisions in RAAP and Kwantum which no longer allows Member States to apply the rule of reciprocity against the United States and other countries that do not adequately protect EU artists and designers.
See the presentation of Bernt Hugenholtz here.
Giuseppe Mazzioti, Abreu Professor in Law and Innovation at Catholic University of Portugal, explored how the rise of data-driven business models, social media’s attention markets and algorithm-dominated streaming services are reshaping the licensing of music rights in Europe. The talk highlighted the evolving role of collective management organizations (CMOs) and the impact of for-profit, repertoire-specific licensing, such as that of independent management entities (IMEs) and publishers’ rights (and data) hubs, on the remuneration of music creators.
See the presentation of Giuseppe Mazzioti here.
Round table: Copyright and Collective Management in the age of AI
In the round table, Adriana Moscoso del Prado, General Manager, GESAC, Cécile Despringre, Secretary General, SAA, Anthi Akritidou, Head of Legal and EU Affairs, IFRRO and Ioan Kaes, General Secretary, AEPO-ARTIS, moderated by Professor Bernt Hugenholtz, discussed the role of Collective Rights Management (CRM) or Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in licensing content for AI training. Key points include addressing the challenges posed by the current opt-out regime for CRM, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a potential remuneration system, and discussing how to include non-professional creators in the licensing process. The participants also highlighted the need for mechanisms, such as Extended Collective Licensing (ECL), to ensure fair compensation for creators not formally represented by CMOs.
Session 4: Combating Online Piracy
Ms. Adrien Timar, Copyright Counsel, Google outlined key anti-piracy principles, such as promoting legitimate alternatives, “following the money,” ensuring efficiency and scalability, preventing abuse, and fostering transparency. Google’s use of AI tools for swift content removal was highlighted, alongside initiatives like “Watch Actions” and “What to Watch,” which guide users to legitimate sources. Transparency efforts were emphasized through reports and tools like the Ads Transparency Center, with lessons shared on combating piracy in the age of AI.
Melissa Morgia, Director for Global Content Protection and Enforcement at IFPI, explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the fight against piracy and enforcement strategies. Her insights highlight the dual role of AI: while it enables pirates to develop sophisticated methods for content theft, it also empowers enforcement agencies with advanced tools to detect and combat piracy more effectively. The discussion emphasizes the need for innovation and collaboration in adapting to this evolving landscape.
Ziga Drobnic, Copyright Specialist, EUIPO, provided an overview of the different administrative approaches to combat piracy in EU Member States. Countries like France, Spain, and Ireland are adopting advanced blocking measures to curb illegal streaming in real time. Regulatory authorities, such as ARCOM in France, are enhancing the effectiveness of court orders, while Greece, Italy, and Portugal are leveraging administrative procedures to tackle piracy. Voluntary agreements between rights holders and internet providers in countries like Denmark and Sweden also play a key role. These combined efforts highlight the importance of collaboration between judicial, regulatory, and private entities in the fight against piracy.
See the presentation of Ziga Drobnic here.
Sunniva Hasson, VP, Head of Policy, MPA EMEA presented a comprehensive discussion on MPA’s efforts in site blocking, highlighting key areas such as the importance of no-fault injunctions, best practice principles, and precise targeting and proportionality. She referred to the legal framework for dynamic blocking, emphasizing due process, transparency, and the balance of fundamental rights. Finally, she addressed safeguards, the role of automated tools, and concludes with facts, figures, and actionable outcomes to support effective site-blocking strategies.
See the presentation of Sunniva Hasson here.
Φωτογραφίες Session 3
Φωτογραφίες Round Table
Φωτογραφίες Session 4