#FreeAllWords: International Text and Translation Fund of the European Writers‘ Council (EWC) gives a voice to authors from Belarus and Ukraine
Own-Initiative Report on Cultural and Creative Sectors in the Age of AI (2025/2180(INI)), Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva MEP, CULT Submission by the European Writers’ Council (EWC): Europe’s competitiveness does not lie primarily in simply replicating the same model, albeit with a few more legal safeguards.
CONTRACTS
8 Demands for a sustainable future of Authors’ Right in the era of so-called AI: EWC response on the CALL FOR EVIDENCE
“Report on the review of the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive / Targeted initiative for a better copyright environment for European creativity and innovation” This initiative by the Directorate General CNECT – Unit I.2 and under the lead of EP Vice-President Henna Virkkunen…
EWC Position Paper on the 5th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Directive on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market (EU) 2019/790 on 7th June 2026
Dear Member States, dear European Commission: Thanks for nothing! The Directive (EU) 2019/790, once praised as a milestone for protecting authors and intended to close the value gap, is today suffering from massive misinterpretations. National implementations leave book authors with no means of enforcement and…
Pivotal Moment in Poland: EWC’s Open Letter on the Act on the Protection of the Book Market
During the ministerial consultation phase, the EWC is supporting its member, Unia Literacka, in its efforts to pass a law of vital importance to Poland, with the aim to install a fixed book price system. The EWC pleas in addition to implement the “triangle of…
EWC Analysis of the adopted EP resolution on “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges”
Are 420 million euros as compensation for damages done by AI for all authors and artists in Europe enough? EWC analysis of the adopted resolution on “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges” (2025/2058(INI)) – Committee on Legal Affairs – Rapporteur: Axel Voss. (more…)
When ART rules: The EWC welcomes the adoption of the “Voss Report”, setting up clear protections for authors in the era of generative AI.
Statement/ press release On 10 March, the EU Parliament voted by 460 to 71, with 88 abstentions, to adopt the now famous “Voss Report”. The European Writers’ Council applauds this vote, which makes it clear that the EU stands for the protection of copyrighted creative…
Fixed Book Prices under Threat: The EWC Appeal towards Member States
The European Court of Justice (CJEU) is currently considering several questions referred for a preliminary ruling by the Austrian Supreme Court. These questions relate not only to fixed book prices in cross-border trade, but now also cover aspects of EU competition law, freedom of information…
EWC contributed to the Call of Evidence for the Culture Compass
Law enforcement, data gaps, digital monopolies and an urgent call for authors at the table, not on the menue: The EWC sets its primary goals for the Commission’s Culture Compass The Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029 attach importance to culture as part of…
Contractual practices in Europe: Commission publishes updated study
Commission publishes study on contractual practices affecting the transfer of copyright and related rights – EWC findings for the book sector The Commission’s study analyses the use of contractual practices involving a full transfer of rights, such as buy-out contracts, and assesses how such contractual…
Contracts in Book Publishing: WIPO launches a toolkit for authors and publishers
“Contracts in Publishing: A toolkit for authors and publishers” by Brian Wafawarowa and Isobel Dixon for WIPO provides information on copyright-related aspects and contractual options and clauses in the book sector. The EWC contributed to the toolkit within peer reviews to foster the balance and…
THE EWC’s AI TOOL KIT FOR THE BOOK SECTOR
Recommendations by the European Writers’ Council (EWC) for writers and translators, publishers, booksellers, event organisers and further stakeholders of the book sector for bilateral and contractual agreements and technical requirements. This Tool Kit can be used by political decision-makers as well as AI providers who…
Writers’ Contracts in the European Book Sector: The EWC Report 2024
Contracts, Remuneration and Transparency: A comprehensive Report on Contractual Clauses in Publishing Agreements in the European Book Sector under the Directive 2019/790 (EU) On the 3rd Anniversary of the entry into force of the Directive 2019/719 (EU) on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital…
Media Information: 3rd Anniversary of the Copyright Directive
Press Release on the 3rd Anniversary of the entry into force of the Directive on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market (2019/790 (EU)) on 7th June 2024: No reason to light a candle? EWC publishes its in-depth report on contractual clauses, fiction…
Transparency is the needed commitment to fairness: EWC Position Paper
EWC Position Paper on Contractual Practices in the European Book Sector Transparency is the needed commitment to fairness On the 3rd anniversary of the entry into force of the the Directive on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market (2019/790 (EU)), the EWC…
EWC Burning Issues Forum 2024 – SITUATION ROOM: The threat on authorship
The EWC Burning Issues Forum – SITUATION ROOM: The threat on authorship. 25th May 2024, Helsinki. The program of the forum was developed by the European Writers’ Council (EWC) together with the Finnish hosts and co-sponsors, and will address issues of the present within the…
EWC survey | Directive (EU) 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market
Well intentioned – but really well done? Member States have had every opportunity to decisively side with authors and thus to ensure the sustainability of the resource for education, literature and knowledge. But the “opportunity of the century” is being missed. Brussels, 22 June 2022…
The EWC Annual General Assembly was succesfully held in Madrid.
The EWC Annual General Assembly was succesfully held in Madrid. Two new EWC members were ratified, and the #FreeAllWords-support initiative presented. With a Welcome Reception, a Concert Evening, the EWC Burning Issues Forum and a Press Conference, the EWC AGM 2022, co-sponsored by CEDRO and…
INVITATION 23 June 2022, Creators Conference on Copyright
We are pleased to announce that ECSA will co-organise an event with European Writers’ Council, FERA – Federation of European Screen Directors and Federation of Screenwriters in Europe on the Implementation of the 2019 EU Copyright Directive. The event took place on Thursday, 23rd June…