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Measuring the crisis in the creative sectors: WIPO study published
The WIPO publishes its Study On the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Copyright Ecosystem the Covid-19 at the SCCR/42 meeting Geneva, 9 May 2022 On the occasion of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)/42 meeting of the WIPO Member States and the Information Session on the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Copyright Ecosystem ...
United Kingdom: Writers’ unions call for reform of the ‘hybrid’ / paid-for publishing sector
EWC Member, The Society of Authors, and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain publish joint report exposing widespread bad practice among companies that charge writers for publication. ...
#FreeAllWords
European-wide online-survey on Freedom of Expression in cooperation with the Institute for Media Research at the University of Rostock. A challenging EWC project. ...
INVITATION TO WRITERS, ILLUSTRATORS AND TRANSLATORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD: JOIN #BEHINDEVERYBOOK ON WORLD BOOK DAY 2022
How to join the EWC Campaign #behindeverybook on 23 April, World Book Day 2022 Brussels, 7 April 2022 Dear Writer, Dear Translator, Dear Illustrator: Behind every book is a writer, a translator, a life.Make it visible on WorldBookDay2022! ...
One Year of Crisis: The Winter of our Discontent
The European Writers’ Council publishes its follow-up survey on The Economic Impact of the Covid-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector 2020-2022 Brussels, 2 November 2021 Already in 2020, the European Writers’ Council study The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector surveyed 33 professional organisations from 27 countries for a ...
EWC POSITION PAPER
One Year of Crisis: The Winter of our Discontent. The European Writers’ Council publishes its follow-up survey on the Economic Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector 2020-2022 and states its position on the results. ...
EWC STATEMENT
The EWC has withdrawn from the Consortium of the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) with effect from January 2022. “The new EUPL concept does not promote multilingualism as key to the European language diversity, and is not following the principles of equal treatment for all participating countries”, says the EWC Board. ...
Ukraine: European and International Writers and Translators against War and Violence – 53 Chairs and Presidents from 29 countries signed the declaration
We condemn Putin’s crimes against democracy and humanity The violent attack on 24 February by the Russian government on Ukraine is a war against all democracies, our values, our convictions of peace, freedom and human rights. Russian President Putin’s despicable war attacks in Ukraine massively violate the democratic freedom won in many states in Eastern Europe after 1989. ...
#StandwithUkraine – HOW TO SUPPORT
Recommendations by EWC member organisations and European writers’ and translators’ associations ...
Ми засуджуємо злочини Путіна проти демократії та людства.
Сьогоднішня жорстока атака з боку російського уряду на Україну — це війна проти усіх демократій, наших цінностей, наших переконань щодо миру, свободи та прав людини. ...
Украина: писатели Европы против войны и насилия
Мы осуждаем преступления Путина против демократии и человечности Акт агрессии российской власти против Украины – это война с демократией, нашими ценностями, представлениями о мире, свободе и правах человека. ...
FERA stands in solidarity with Ukrainian filmmakers and the Ukrainian people following Russian army’s invasion
EWC sister’s organisation of the Authors’ Group, FERA, stands with Ukraine: We stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, with our colleagues, relatives and friends in Ukraine, as well as those opposing the conflict in Russia and Belarus, in a dangerous and uncertain situation following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. violent attack by the Russian government ...
DSA Plenary vote: Broader KYBC obligations but a missed opportunity to secure a safer online environment for consumers and businesses
Creativity Works!, the leading European coalition of the creative and cultural industries, says: “Members of the European Parliament have missed an opportunity to translate the declaration “What is illegal offline is also illegal online” into concrete actions.” ...
DSA: Disappointing IMCO vote, but a genuinely safe and trustworthy online environment is still possible, says Creativity Works!
Creativity Works!, the leading European coalition of the creative and cultural industries, demands: “The IMCO report is a missed opportunity to translate the declaration “What is illegal offline is also illegal online” into concrete actions. ...
ALBUM: this was the EUPL 2021 AWARD CEREMONY
European Union Prize for Literature held its 2021 Award Ceremony in Brussels – live & livestreamed The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2021 Ceremony took place on 9 November 2021 in the Flagey building, Brussels. The ceremony celebrated the thirteen national laureates of the 2021 edition. The event was also livestreamed on the EUPL’s Facebook channel. The EWC was ...
PRESS RELEASE One Year of Crisis: The Winter of our Discontent
Media information: The European Writers’ Council publishes its follow-up survey on The Economic Impact of the Covid-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector 2020-2022 Brussels, 1 November 2021 Already in 2020, the European Writers’ Council study The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector surveyed 33 professional organisations from 27 countries ...
CEATL publishes the first results of its legal survey
The European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations CEATL conducted a survey on the legal situations for literary translators in 27 countries. 69 questions, around contracts, and emerging issues (self-publishing, streaming services, machine translation, etc.) shed light on the income and negotiation situation. The first preliminary results have now been published. ...
9 November 2021: EUPL 2021 AWARD CEREMONY
European Union Prize for Literature looks forward to the 2021 Award Ceremony in Brussels – live & livestreamed The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) is pleased to announce its 2021 Award Ceremony will take place on 9 November 2021. The ceremony will celebrate the thirteen national laureates of the 2021 edition. Taking place at the culture house Flagey in ...
To the Members of the European Parliament DROI Subcommittee on Human Rights
Human rights violation and state abuse against cultural professionals, writers and translators in Belarus. Briefing by the European Writers’ Council for the DROI meeting on 27 and 28 October 2021. ...
Artificial intelligence: not that smart
Which companies are using text and data mining to develop writing and translation software? How does a weak implementation of the DSM Directive on copyright allow for the skimming of authors’ works? And where is AI already being used in the book sector? An essay by EWC President Nina George ...
RE:START CONVERSATIONS 2: Investing in a high-quality digital education ecosystem is investing in democracy
IFRRO, together with EVA, EWC and FEP, presented the second Re:start Conversations event. EWC Vice President Maïa Bensimon discussed the needs for writers in the educational field for a sustainable future. Summary of the online event on 16 June 2021, provided by IFRRO: On 16 June 2021, IFRRO held the second “Re:start conversations” event, together with its partners EVA, EWC ...
Launch of the EUIPO Out of Commerce Works Portal: EWC President Nina George stresses the need of a reliable opt-out mechanism for authors
On June 7, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) presented the newly launched portal for out of commerce works. Eight speakers discussed the challenges authors and cultural heritage institutions may face. During this online event, the EUIPO presents the newly launched portal for out of commerce works, and explains how CHIs, CMOs and rights holders, for example authors and ...
Investing in PLR is investing in Human Rights, in Democracy, and in a sustainable Economy.
As the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held the 41th session of its Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) online, EWC President Nina George submitted on behalf of the European Writers’ Council the following statement on the proposal for a WIPO-Study on Public Lending Right. ...
Forced liquidation: The European Writers’ Council stands with its member, the Union of Belarusian Writers
Judge Ihar Milto of the Supreme Court in Minsk has decided on 1 October 2021 to shut down the independent Union of Belarusian Writers (UBW). Once again the illegitimate Lukashenka regime proves its willingness to violently suppress democracy and free speech. ...
Happy Hieronymus Day!
How EWC member organisations and the European book sector celebrate translators and translations on 30 September On 24 May 2017, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted resolution 71/288 and declared 30 September as International Translation Day. This day celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators. Since 1991, however, ...
#freewordsBelarus: European Writers stand with the Union of Belarusian Writers
In response to the news that the Belarusian Justice Ministry intends to liquidate the independent Union of Belarusian Writers, the European Writers Council (EWC) stands up high against the outrageous violation of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Association. ...
Belarus: Radical crackdown against the Free Word
The European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations (CEATL), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the European Writers Council (EWC) call on the governments of Europe and the international community to demonstrate firm support for the democracy movement in Belarus and to provide refuge and humanitarian assistance to those fleeing the country. ...
EWC demands support for writers, translators and cultural workers fleeing Belarus
On 14 July 2021, the Directorate “Combating Organised Crime and Corruption” of the Belarusian Ministry of the Interior has conducted a nationwide ‘radical cleansing’ operation against independent associations of writers, journalists, cultural workers, and human rights organisations, including EWC Member, the Union of Belarusian Writers, and PEN Belarus. PEN Belarus is about to be closed by the Government on August ...
The EWC condemns the attacks of the dictatorial Lukashenko regime on its member, the Union of Belarusian Writers, as well as on the writers’ organisation PEN Belarus in Minsk
An unprecedented wave of violations against independent cultural and human rights organisations rolls through the suffering country: ...
Without authors there is no culture: ACE publishs report on the impact of Covid-19 on writers and translators in Spain
The situation of writers, translators and playwrights in Spain: survey, report and conclusions by ACE, ACE Translators and AAT Playwrights. Introduction by Miguel Ángel Serrano, Secretary-General of ACE and Vice President of European Writers’ Council. ...
The European Commission’s project database for the Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020
Success stories, or projects that have had exceptional results in terms of policy relevance, communication potential, impact or design, are highlighted on the platform. They have been selected from a wider pool of good practice examples, or well-managed projects. It contains descriptions of all projects funded under the Creative Europe – Culture sub-programme and some of the projects financed under ...
Playing off the right to education and culture, and the authors’ right against each other harms a democracy
As the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held the 41th session of its Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) online, EWC President Nina George submitted on behalf of the European Writers’ Council the following statement on Exceptions and Limitations. ...
The EWC Annual General Assembly 2021 was successfully held online – new EWC Board elected
Authors’ Rights, freedom of speech, and cooperation across borders: The writers and translators of the European book sector stand together for a sustainable future and the diversity of books. ...
Authors’ Group press statement on the transposition of the 2019 EU Copyright Directive.
The Authors’ Group deeply regrets the slow pace of implementation of the 2019 Copyright Directive and calls on all EU Member States which do not comply with the Directive to engage urgently in a faithful and prompt implementation. ...
EWC presented: Invasion of Reality – Prose, Politics & Poetry.
5 June, 17:00 CEST: The EWC Literature Evening (online) Saturday, 5 June 17:00 -19:30 (CEST) – we enjoyed discussions and poetry readings around burning issues of writers and the book world in the times of Corona. 16 speakers from 12 countries, moderated by Porter Anderson (Publishing Perspectives) and Lena Falkenhagen (Chair of the German Writers’ Union), talk about literary, social, ...
EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE ANNOUNCES THE 2021 LAUREATES!
The 2021 edition awards thirteen* laureates from the countries participating in this cycle. ...
#BEHINDEVERYBOOK ON WORLD BOOK DAY 2021
Some facts, figures and details of the EWC Campaign #behindeverybook on 23 April, World Book Day 2021 Brussels, 27 April 2021 All over the world, writers, translators, and visual artists followed our invitation to join the EWC campaign #behindeverybook again. Some facts, figures and details of #behindeverybook in 2021: + 2000 Facebook posts from writers, translators, illustrators commented, retweeted and ...
EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE ANNOUNCES 2021 SHORTLIST!
Brussels, 15 April 2021 55 authors and books from 14 participating countries nominated for the 2021 European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from across Europe. The award includes 41 countries which are part of the Creative Europe programme – an initiative aiming to strengthen Europe’s cultural and creative sectors. The ...
Every use must be remunerated: Interview with EWC President Nina George
In the interview with medienpolitik.net Nina George stresses the importance for a strong implementation of Articles 18-22 of the DSM Directive on Copyright On the occasion of World Book Day (23 April) and Copyright and Intellectual Property Day on 26 April, the cultural policy online newspaper medienpolitik.net spoke with Nina George, writer, and Matthias Hornschuh, composer. George: “The revenue model ...
RE:START CONVERSATIONS Part II – SAVE THE DATE Beyond the crisis: Recovery, resilience and sustainability of the book sector – 16 June 10.00 CEST – ONLINE
IFRRO, together with EVA, EWC and FEP, invite you to save the date for the second Re:Start Conversations session! ...
The EWC Burning Issues Forum – 4 June 14.00 CEST
Discussions and presentations on national challenges. EWC members & special guests. ...
AUTHORS GROUP POSITION – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF ARTISTS AND THE CULTURAL RECOVERY IN THE EU
The Authors’ Group is Europe’s leading Authors’ network representing hundreds of thousands of authors, including writers, literary translators, composers, songwriters, film/TV directors and screenwriters in Europe. ...
RE:START CONVERSATIONS. Beyond the crisis: Recovery, resilience and sustainability of the book sector – 17 March 10.00 CET – ONLINE
IFRRO, together with EVA, EWC and FEP, invite to the first in a series of online conversations, at which authors, publishers and collective management organisations in the text and image sectors will discuss, together with representatives from the EU Institutions. ...
#freewordsBelarus #standwithBelarus #justice4Belarus : The EWC and CEATL call upon the Ministers of Culture of the EU Member States to take urgent steps required to end the violence and repression
On the International Solidarity Day with Belarus, announced by opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for 7 February 2021, 46 authors’ and 35 translators’ associations from 34 countries, with a total of 170,000 members, are calling on Europe’s Cultural Ministers to take decisive action. ...
IFRRO launches Guide on Licensing of Out of Commerce Works
The Guide has been developed in consultation with authors’, rightsowners and rightholder groups (EFJ, EMMA, ENPA, EVA, EWC, FEP and NWU), together with RROs (Copydan Writing, DILIA, Kopinor, LITA, SEMU, SOFIA and VG Wort), drawing on their experience of collective licensing of OOCW digitisation schemes. ...
Society of Authors (UK) survey: Two-thirds of authors reporting loss of income during Covid-19
15 October 2020 The third real-time survey Authors in the Health Crisis by The Society of Authors (UK) confirms: Two-thirds (65%) of writers, illustrators and literary translators have suffered a loss of income Almost half (49%) say the loss is more than a quarter of their income Under 30% of respondents have received any form of Government help ...
The DSA should upgrade the responsibility of online platforms, not weaken it, says Creativity Works!
Creativity Works!, a leading European coalition of the creative and cultural industries, sees the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a unique opportunity to ensure a safe, trustworthy and respectful online environment for consumers and businesses alike. ...
The European Union Prize for Literature Award Ceremony
Brussels, 14 December 2020 EUPL 2020 DIGITAL AWARD CEREMONY The Consortium comprised of the European Writers’ Council (EWC), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), in charge of running the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), has decided – together with the Creative Europe program – to change the EUPL 2020 Award Ceremony due to take place on 29 ...
“We need literature more than ever”: EWC welcomes new Board Member Viveka Sjögren Bangoura
Viveka Sjögren Bangoura, Chair of the International Council at the Swedish Writers’ Union, writer and illustrator of childrens’ and young adult books, was co-opted on 26 November 2020 as regular board member for the term 2019-2021. ...
Creativity Works! welcomes the IP Action Plan
Creativity Works!, a leading European coalition of the creative and cultural sectors, welcomes the 25 November Action Plan on Intellectual Property as a way of “making the most of the EU’s innovative potential”. ...
#freewordsbelarus: 36 Presidents, Chairs and board members of 33 writers’ and translators’ organisations from 22 countries representing 120,000 authors, join voices to support the democracy movement in Belarus.
On 26 November, the 90th birthday of the Belarusian writer Uladzimir Karatkievich, the video reading campaign #freewordsbelarus will be launched on the EWC Daily–Motion-channel. ...
Authors’ Rights in Motion: EWC is launching its own Video Channel
The European Writers’ Council is proud to announce that our federation is starting its own Video Channel at Daily Motion on November 24: www.dailymotion.com/europeanwriterscouncil ...
#freewordsbelarus: The Fight Against the Monster
An Essay by Nina George, EWC President Imagine you’re an author. You attend a protest with your colleagues from the voluntary sector and Office of the Union. A VW van pulls up next to you, a dozen hooded people jump out of the side doors, and their uniform is neither from the police nor the military. They drag you along ...
PEN International: Joint Letter for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2020
On 15 November, the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, PEN International calls for urgent international action to protect writers and journalists across the globe, who increasingly find themselves targeted for their peaceful free expression work. Writers and poets, Margret Atwood, EWC President Nina George, Yann Martel and Ian Rankin, a.o., joint this letter by PEN International: “As poets, novelists, journalists, ...
EWC welcomes La Société des Gens de Lettres (Society of French Literati) as new member
“We are their voice. We defend authors and their rights, our rights. Our fight consist in improving our social status, our ticket to our freedom of creation”, says Christophe Hardy. EWC welcomed the SGDL together with four new members to the federation at its General Assembly. ...
EWC welcomes Όμιλος Λογοτεχνίας και Κριτικής (Literature and Criticism Association) as new member
“For the Literature and Criticism Association Cyprus the engagement in the European Writers’ Council is particularly relevant because now, we have a european voice”. Read more about the new member: ...
EWC welcomes Forfatterforbundet, The Norwegian Society of Authors as new member
“In tough times we stand strongest together. That’s why organizations like EWC are extremely important” says the Chair of the Norwegian Society of Authors, the novelist Eystein Hanssen. read more about the new EWC member: ...
Private Copying Compensation: Joint Statement of Organisations representing Authors, Performers, Publishers and Creative workers at EU level
US and Asian consumer device manufacturers are targeting the Visegrad4 countries to avoid private copying compensation Brussels, 5 October 2020. Some of the world’s biggest consumer device manufacturers are aggressively targeting ...
EWC welcomes The Syndikat, The Association of German Language Crime Writers as new member
“By joining the European Writers’ Council, the SYNDIKAT can participate in literary policy decisions that are made at European level, i.e. long before they are implemented in the national frameworks”, says The Syndikat’s Chair, the writer Jens J. Kramer. Read more about the new EWC member: ...
EWC welcomes The Society of Hungarian Authors – Szépírók Társasága as new member
In the current domestic cultural-political climate building fruitful international relationships is not just an opportunity but a necessity to our organisation”, says Endre Szkarosi, President of the The Society of Hungarian Authors. Read more: ...
THE EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE REVEALS THE 2020 ANTHOLOGY
Brussels, 29 September 2020 The Consortium comprised of the European Writers’ Council (EWC), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), in charge of organising the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) – together with the European Commission, is happy to reveal the 2020 edition of its yearly European Stories publication: the EUPL 2020 ...
The European Union Prize for Literature moves its 2020 ceremony online!
Brussels, 11 September 2020 The Consortium comprised of the European Writers’ Council (EWC), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), in charge of running the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), has decided – together with the Creative Europe program – to change the EUPL 2020 award ceremony due to take place on ...
International & European Solidarity for Belarus and EWC Member The Union of Belarusian Writers (UBW)
The Members of the European Writers’ Council support its member the Union of Belarusian Writers in its efforts for democracy, free speech and new fair elections. Several european and international networks from the cultural and the book world joined the movement. ...
The EWC condemns the detaining of poets and translators in Minsk and the action against Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich
The European Writers’ Council condemns the detaining of three poets and translators in Minsk and the action against the Nobel Prize winner for literature, Svetlana Alexievich Yesterday evening the poets and translators, Hanna Komar, Uladz Liankevich and Siarzh Miadzvedzeu of the Belarusian PEN Centre, were arrested and taken to Akrestina Prison. Today, 9 September, police teams are searching the house ...
Frankfurt Book Fair 2020 moves online – exhibitions cancelled
The Frankfurt Book Fair 2020 moves online: the so-called “Special Edition” will be without on-site exhibition Brussels, 8 September 2020: Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020 – Special Edition: online and in the city of Frankfurt, but without traditional on-site exhibition, is the headline of the today’s press release of the Frankfurt Book Fair Board. The Frankfurter Buchmesse (14-18 October 2020) should take ...
The EWC Annual General Meeting 2020 was successfully held online
Integrity, freedom of speech, and solidarity: The community of writers and translators of the European book sector stands together for independence and diversity Brussels, 7 September 2020 Thirty-eight delegates and representatives of EWC organisations from twenty-one countries participated in the three-hour video meeting, the first virtual Annual General assembly in the history of the European Writers’ Council, on Monday 07/09/2020. ...
AUTHORS IN BELARUS: A restricted writers’ life.
In response to the request for information on the situation in Belarus as regards authors’ revenues, the Union of Belarusian Writers can say right at the outset that no one in this country has ever examined this topic in detail. This is primarily due to the fact that Belarusian writers do not in practice receive any remuneration for their books ...
Stop the attempts to divide Belarusian society!
Statement by The Union of Belarusian Writers and Civic society organization Homeland Recently, we are hearing more and more often from the Belarusian authorities at the highest level of intimidation that the aim of this year’s peaceful protests for fair elections is to use a violent appearance of the white-red-white flag. The accusation is Belarusization, as the plight of the ...
The European Writers’ Council condemns the criminal case opened by Alexander Lukashenko against the Nobel Prize winner for literature, Svetlana Alexievich, and the Coordination Council in Belarus
The European Writers’ Council demands a peaceful development in Belarus, which will allow its citizens freedom and democratic participation. The EWC supports its member the Union of Belarusian Writers in its efforts for democracy, free speech and new fair elections. ...
EWC Statement on Belarus: we urge the governments of the European Union not to stand by in silence
The European Writers’ Council vehemently condemns the massive violations of free speech and human rights in Belarus The European Writers’ Council is highly concerned about the violent and systematic oppression of peaceful protests against the official results of the presidential elections and against the autocratic President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. ...
To Europeans and Citizens of the World: The Union of Belarusian Writers appeals for international solidarity
The Union of Belarusian Writers appeals for international solidarity to stop violence directed against peaceful protesters and to hold free, fair and transparent new elections in Belarus. An Appeal to Europeans and Citizens of the World: Please speak out about Belarus, write about the tragic situation here, and relay this appeal to the national leaders of your country with your demands for ...
VOICES FROM BELARUS
Since peaceful protests against a rigged election began in Belarus, the government has unleashed terrible violence against its own citizens, including children. The authorities have imprisoned demonstrators and are subjecting them to horrible conditions beyond comprehension. These following reports and interviews document the arbitrary violence against citizens of Belarus. A summary of the political events can be found at the ...
Content4Education: Statements by EWC Members and EWC President
EWC joined the Content4Education Campaign, to support writers and translators during the period of a fair implementing of the DSM Directive. The EU Copyright in the Digital Single Market (“DSM”) Directive 2019/790, adopted in April 2019, includes a mandatory exception to copyright under Article 5 for the “digital use of works and other subject matter for the sole purpose of ...
EWC Survey: Press and Media reviews
Reviews and comments on the EWC Survey “Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector” ++ updated 10 August 2020 ++ Brussels 12 June 2020: The findings of the EWC Survey had been published on 2 June 2020. Together with a statement and a call to decision-makers for an overall political commitment to culture and ...
Content4Education: How EU Member States can ensure the delivery of sustainable, high-quality content for education
EWC joined the Content4Education Campaign, to support writers and translators during the period of a fair implementing of the DSM Directive. The EU Copyright in the Digital Single Market (“DSM”) Directive 2019/790, adopted in April 2019, includes a mandatory exception to copyright under Article 5 for the “digital use of works and other subject matter for the sole purpose of ...
FEP REPORT: Consequences of the Covid-19 crisis on the book market
The Crisis hits the book market in full In this 15-page report, created by the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) on the basis of 70 country and daily reports and including a FOREWORD BY MARIYA GABRIEL, COMMISSIONER FOR INNOVATION, RESEARCH, CULTURE, EDUCATION AND YOUTH, this europeanwide analysis reflects on the consequences of the crisis for publishers and booksellers. ...
OPEN LETTER: 45 leading cultural personalities call for the European Council to invest in all our creative futures
Creators and professionals from the sector call on the EU leaders to be bold and to invest in culture and the arts Brussels, 13 July 2020. 45 leading cultural personalities including President of the EWC Nina George, international bestselling authors Sebastian Fitzek and Nele Neuhaus, composer Jean Michel Jarre, performance artist Marina Abramović and singer Björk, co-signed a call for ...
Directive 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market: Authors’ Group Recommendations on the Transposition of Articles 18 to 23
Brussels, 30 June 2020 In contrast to the Information Society Directive (2001/29/EU) general approach, Directive 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market includes market regulation elements aiming to achieve “Fair remuneration in exploitation contracts of authors and performers” (Title IV, Chapter 3, Articles 18 to 23). ...
Do Books Still Have a Future?
Diversity of Literature Requires Political Commitment across Policy Areas – in Every Country By Nina George, President of the European Writers’ Council. The consequences of the Covid-19 crisis and its countermeasures are assessed as having a serious impact on the entire book sector in Germany and Europe as well as on writers and translators. This is according to the results ...
JOINT STATEMENT: INVESTING IN EUROPE’S NEXT GENERATION BY INVESTING IN CULTURE
JOINT SECTOR CALL SIGNED BY EWC, CEATL AND 99 ORGANISATIONS Brussels, 25 June 2020. On 19 June, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss the Commission’s proposed recovery fund and EU long-term budget. Ahead of this meeting, 99 organisations representing the whole spectrum of Europe’s cultural and creative sector have issued a joint call ...
How to champion writers and translators behind every book
What Can We Do For Authors, Nina George? A special view on the German and the European Situation in and after the Covid-19 crisis 22 June 2020 I I could take an alarmist approach to this: after all, the situation for writers and translators, as the sources behind the german 13.4 billion-euro book value chain[1], continues to be serious. Event ...
Association of Catalan Language Writers (Spain) survey: professional authors are hit the most during the Covid-19 crisis by income losses
The most professional authors (more than 50% of their income comes from literary works) are the most affected by the Corona crisis and its consequences, says a survey among writers writing in catalan language. ...
WRITERS AND TRANSLATORS CALL ON THE DECISION MAKERS FOR AN OVERALL POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO AUTHORS AND CULTURE
THE DIVERSITY OF EUROPEAN LITERATURE IS UNDER THREAT Brussels, 2 June 2020. European Writers and Translators call on all decision makers for an overall political commitment to culture and a system update of the book world. The EWC recommends 37 ...
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Writers and Translators
Results of the EWC Survey “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector” and 37 recommendations for a sustainable future on EU and national level Brussels, 2 June 2020. The European Writers’ Council conducted the survey “Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Writers and Translators in the European Book Sector“, from March 30 to April ...
EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE ANNOUNCES 2020 LAUREATES
The EWC congratulates the EUPL winners of 2020 Brussels, 19 May I The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from across Europe. During a cycle of three years, the award includes 41 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme – an initiative aiming at strengthening Europe’s cultural and creative sectors. The EUPL was launched in 2009, ...
Writers in the time of Corona: the DW Books Interviews
EWC President Nina George and Bel Olid, President of the Associació d’Escriptors en Llengua Catalana, on the situation for writers in Europe during Pandemic The measures against COVID-19 affects all. in the midst of the greatest rupture in world society and a fundamental challenge for the cultural landscape, Deutsche Welle TV – Books video-called authors around the world to find ...
Authors from all over the world joined #behindeverybook on #WorldBookDay2020
EWC campaign #behindeverybook on 23 April: solidarity with and for authors – thousands of writers, translators and illustrators joined the action Brussels, 27 April 2020 Dear EWC Member, colleagues, friends, You could say: this was a great party, a declaration of love to authors and their books as well as a movement of solidarity with each other! All over the ...
EWC long-read-pick: “Copyright as the Canary in the Coalmine” by Hugh Stephens
COVID is Not an Excuse to Throw the Accepted Rules Out the Window: Copyright as the Canary in the Coalmine – Essay by Hugh Stephens ++update 1 June 2020 ++ The European Writers’ Council joined international organizations and federations of authors from around the world several times in joint appeals to readers and librarians from the victims of Controlled Digital ...
COVID-19: IMPACT ON AUTHORS AND THE EU BOOK SECTOR
#Corona-crisis – authors of the European and US book sector under pressure ++ updated 18.04.2020 ++ Across Europe, the spread of coronavirus has not only a direct impact on the daily and private lives, health and the ways people interact – but also on the working situation of writers and translators in the book sector. ...
47 writers from 13 countries: the Europe Union Prize for Literature Shortlist!
EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE ANNOUNCES 2020 SHORTLIST CANDIDATES Brussels, 15. April 2020 European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from across Europe. The award includes 41 countries which are part of the Creative Europe programme – an initiative which aims to strengthen Europe’s cultural and creative sectors. The EUPL was launched in 2009, and since then ...
#saveEUculture: EWC signs Open Letter to Member States and Commission
#saveEUculture EWC, together with 312 Cultural and Authors’ Organisations and 105 MEP signs Open Letter to the EU Commission and the Member States, demanding support for the Cultural and Creative Sectors, particularly cultural creators, affected by the COVID-19 crisis ...
UK: EWC Member The Society of Authors deems so-called National Emergency Library ‘disgraceful and unlawful’
The Society of Authors has joined a chorus of criticism in branding the Internet Archive’s (IA) move to make its collection freely available online ‘disgraceful and unlawful’. The SoA’s intervention follows IA’s removal of download restrictions on 1.4 million books hosted on its site – a step labelled an ‘aggressive, unlawful and opportunistic attack’ on rights holders by the Association ...
JOINT STATEMENT: COVID-19-Crisis: call for specific measures for authors!
Authors’ Organisations Joint Statement on COVID-19 Crisis Brussels, 26th March 2020 As the COVID-19 pandemic ravages our societies, including the cultural and creative sectors, authors’ organizations stand in solidarity with all those affected by the virus and we support measures taken to contain it. ...
Finland: Income of non-fiction writers
Two of three non-fiction writers in Finland do other work in order to be able to work as a non-fiction writer Last year (2019), the Association of Finnish Non-fiction Writers (Suomen tietokirjailijat ry) conducted a survey concerning the financial position of non-fiction writers. The previous survey was carried out in 2013 and it examined the financial position of non-fiction writers ...
++ cancelled ++ Denmark: Nordic Copyright in an EU Perspective – UBVA Seminar
++event cancelled++ EWC at the UBVA Seminar on Copyright for Academic Authors Academics also have authors’ rights and are entitled to remuneration. In the Nordic countries on the labor market, we stick to the so-called “Nordic Model”, where we enter into voluntary and credible agreements with each other – also when it comes to authors’ rights. ...
Creative Europe Programme: Support to Literary Translation projects
Now open: Call for proposals (5. March – 5. May 2020) – support to Literary Translation projects Support for literary translation projects is regularly enhanced, building on feedback from Member States, publishers and the book sector as well as on the experience of the first five years of implementation. ...
Switzerland: EWC at the FIL Symposium – Women in the Literary World + event postponed +
+postponed + FIL – Women in the literary sector | Symposium | Bern 02.-03. May 2020, Paul-Klee-Zentrum, Bern. Symposium: Women in the Literary World RAUF and A*dS Authors of Switzerland cordially invite you to the two-day networking meeting for feminist concerns in the literary field. Together with the participants, experts will address questions and specific problems of discrimination against women ...
Germany: ++ BOOK FAIR LEIPZIG CANCELLED ++
EWC at the BOOK FAIR LEIPZIG ++ UPDATE: the Book Fair is cancelled over corona virus ++ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-leipzig/germanys-leipzig-book-fair-confirms-cancellation-over-coronavirus-idUSKBN20Q1EO ...
Norway: NFFO sets out ethical guidelines for non-fiction writers
Responsibility of the authors: EWC Member NFFO publishes checklist for ethical issues On 25. February a working group consisting of members of NFFO launched a set of ethical guidelines for writers of non-fiction works. The document asks a variety of ethical questions that may encourage writers and editors to ask themselves during the process of writing a book. ...
Stay up to date with the European Union Prize For Literature Newsletter
Sign up for the European Union Prize for Literature Newsletter The EUPL 2020 is on its way! The EWC hosted all jury presidents for the 2020 kick off edition last month, which officially marked the start of the selection process in each of our 13 participating countries this year: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Kosovo, Luxembourg, ...
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Copyright: EWC response to the WIPO consultation
How original is artificial intelligence? Consultation response of the European Writers’ Council, registered observer at WIPO, to WIPO/IP/AI/2/GE/20/1 – WIPO Conversation on Intellectual Property (IP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). To be submitted until 14 February 2020. ...
Ireland: EWC Member Irish Writers’ Union on the importance of PLR
Public Lending Right: A life saver? By Roy Hunt. Public Lending Right or Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) is a small payment to authors every time their book is borrowed from a library. The payment is made annually. The finance for PLR comes from government. The concept of PLR is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ...
European creators call for an ambitious and faithful implementation of the Copyright Directive on national level at ECSA’s Creators Conference
Creators, EU policy makers and stakeholders gathered in Brussels to discuss present and future policies affecting european creators’ lives. On 3rd February 2020, the Creators Conference 2020, held under the patronage of the European Parliament, ...
UK: EWC Member The Society of Authors calls on Government to proceed with implementation of the Copyright Directive
DSM Directive: EWC Member The Society of Authors urges UK Government for fairness for authors The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on 31st January 2020 and the Implementation Period will end on 31st December 2020. The government has committed ...
France: The Racine Report offers 23 recommendations
The Racine Report: 23 recommendations for authors In this 141-page report, posted on the website of the Ministry of Culture, the former president of the Center Pompidou and the National Library of France, draws up a series of 23 recommendations with a view to improving the situation of artists -authors. ...
STUDY: E-Book Piracy displaced legal consumption
Male, employed, 18-34 years old: who is using illegal sources for e-Books – and how often? The University of Amsterdam releases a sequel on online piracy. The report deals with the acquisition and consumption of music, films, series, books and games through the various legal and illegal channels that exist nowadays, in a set of 13 countries in Europe (France, ...
Joint statement of the European book sector concerning the cultural budget in Flanders
Open letter to Flemish Minister of Culture from the European book sector Brussels, January 7, 2020 The European book sector, represented by the European Writers’ Council, the Federation of European Publishers, the European and International Booksellers Federation and the European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations, has learnt with consternation of the proposed savings on culture from the Flemish Minister for ...
EWC welcomes the decision against “re-sale” of e-Books
The sale of second-hand e-books through a website constitutes a communication to the public that is subject to authorisation by the author: The CJEU ruled in Case C-263/18 Nederlands Uitgeversverbond and Groep Algemene Uitgevers v Tom Kabinet Internet BV and Others (see here) that: the sale of second-hand e-books through a website constitutes a communication to the public subject to authorisation ...
Creative Europe Programme: EWC signs Open Letter
Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027: Investing in our culture is investing in our future. Open letter to EU leaders from Europe’s cultural and creative sectors November, 2019 / Update 10.12.19 Dear President of the European Council, Dear Member States representatives, ...
STUDY: IMPACT OF E-LENDING ON THE PRIMARY MARKET
The German Writers’ Union (VS) and the Publishers and Booksellers Association presented a study on habits of so-called “Onleihe”-Users. Publishers and authors call for fair framework in online lending system: First-ever comprehensive study published on the use of “Onleihe” ...
European authors and performers support the Cultural and Creative Industries’ Intergroup
EWC signs Open Letter to the EU Parliament. Dear Member of the European Parliament, Culture unites Europeans and celebrates our common identity and diversity. Authors and performers’ creativity and work contribute to the wealth and pride of European culture. ...
Nominated by EWC: Morten Visby elected as Director in the IFRRO-BOARD
The Danish Translator Morten Visby, President of CEATL and Chair of the EWC-Members’ Association Danish Authors’ Society had been elected as Director in the IFRRO-Board, representing the Authors’ Associations and the interests of writers and translator of the book- and text sector. ...
Germany: EWC at the 7th Conference on Authors’ Rights
CISAC Vice-President Angélique Kidjo calls for action to protect digital rights of creators 7th Initiative Urheberrecht Conference on Authors’ Rights | Singer-Songwriter urges laws to protect the next generation of artists. Berlin, 11 November 2019 – ...
7th Conference on Authors’ Rights: Keynote by the EWC President
Die Initiative Urheberrecht hatte gestern zum siebten Mal zur Urheberrechtskonferenz nach Berlin geladen. Berlin, 11 November 2019 | von Jochen Müller, blickpunktfilm.de Durchweg positives Echo gab es von den Teilnehmern der siebten Urheberrechtskonferenz, ...
Scotland: EWC at the IFFRO World Congress. Statement on the importance of PLR
At the annual IFRRO World Congress in Edinburgh (4.-7.11.19) EWC President Nina George gave a short presentation on Public Lending Right. ...
EWC joins IFRRO-Statement against the so called „Controlled Digital Lending”
The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) acknowledges the important role of libraries in society, making copyright protected works available for reading to a large audience through public lending. ...
Ireland: Irish Writers’ Union Submission on the EU Copyright Directive
October 30, 2019 On the whole, in line with our colleagues in the European Writers Council and other artist organisations, the Irish Writers Union welcomed the passage of the Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market. ...
EWC signs Joint Statement on private Copy Compensation
Private copying compensation: European Creators under attack from Apple, Huawei, Samsung European creators’ organisations and unions urge the EU decision-makers to support European interests and take a firm stand against aggressive lobbying by ...
Norway as Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse: EWC members gave insights in collective management
Norway was Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019. Please visit our website Norway2019.com for information about the project, news and events. ...
Switzerland: EWC President’s Statement at WIPO on Limitations & Exceptions
As the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held the 39th session of its Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), EWC President Nina George spoke on behalf of the European Writers’ Council to give professional writers’ view on Limitations and Exceptions ...
Culture: Not found. Open Letter to President-elect Ursula von der Leyen.
Culture: Not found. Open Letter to President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. European authors, publishers and booksellers are concerned about a Commission without a Commissioner for Culture and Education. Brussels, 18.9.2019 Dear President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, ...
AUTHORS‘ INCOME IN GERMANY
The German book market with 9,131 million euro sales volume (2018), 74,000 new titles each year and 367 million copies* sold (20172) accounts for 7.8% of total sales in the cultural and creative industries in Germany. The number of sold copies has declined since 2007 from 404 million to today 367 million (-15 %), the percentage of sold e-books and ...
Out now: The European Union Literature Prize Anthology
This year’s “European stories” publication presents the EUPL winners 2019 along with excerpts from their winning books in both original language and English/French translation. This book showcases the 14 laureates of the 2019 European Union Prize for Literature and shows how, through their stories, they nurture our ability to empathise. ...
SPAIN: WHITE PAPER ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF WRITERS
16.4 % of the spanish authors work full-time, 77 % receive less than 1,000 euros a year The Writer’s White Book has just been published on this website acescritores.com. It has been prepared over the last two years by the Asociación Coelgial de Escritores de España (ACE) with the collaboration of CEDRO and the Ministry of Culture and ...
Belgium: European Union Prize for Literature Awards Ceremony
European Union Prize for Literature Awards Ceremony European Union Prize for Literature Awards Ceremony to be held on 2 October 2019, at BOZAR, Brussels “Civilization starts with the invention of letters, which enabled reading, communion and communication with past generations, with other cultures, nations and ideals. ...
Iceland: THE WRITERS’ UNION OF ICELAND EARNINGS SURVEY
In 2017 The Writers’ Union of Iceland (RSÍ) did a survey among Union members to research authors earnings in Iceland. This was the first income survey the Union did among member’s and it will be repeated in 2020 to make a comparison. The survey included all types of writers: ...
EWC welcomes The Czech Writers’ Association as new member
The European Writers’ Council is delighted to announce that our Annual General Assembly ratified unanimously Asociace spisovatelů, The Czech Writers’ Association, on Sunday 2 June in Riga, Latvia.The association was presented by Mr. Ondrej Lipár, Chairman, at the assembly. ...
LARGEST SURVEY OF U.S. PROFESSIONAL WRITERS
Largest survey of U.S. professional writers ever conducted, generating data from 5,067 published book authors from The Authors Guild and 14 other writers organizations. Literary writers experienced the biggest decline (down 27% in four years) in amount they earned from book-related income, followed by ...
USA: 42 % DECLINE IN AUTHORS’ EARNINGS
January 5, 2019 Authors Guild (US)-Survey Shows Drastic 42 Percent Decline in Authors Earnings in Last Decade The Authors Guild’s 2018 Author Income Survey, the largest survey of writing-related earnings by American authors ever conducted finds incomes falling to historic lows to a median of $6,080 in 2017, down 42 percent from 2009. ...
»Worldwide Reading« for Freedom of Expression
The International Literature Festival Berlin [ilb] calls to join a Worldwide Reading on September 11, 2019. Recommended by Alena Makouskaya, Board Member and responsible for the topic Freedom of Expression in the EWC Board. People of the European Union share their thoughts, comment on different events, write articles and books. ...
WRITERS’ INCOME IN FINLAND
Writers’ median income for writing fiction in Finland is EUR 2,000 a year. Various grants account for a significant share of writers’ incomes – grants and other income related to the writing profession raise the median income for writers to EUR 9,745 a year. ...
EWC recommends: Defending the ecosystem for books and writers
»The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.« – Albert Camus Civilization starts with the invention of letters which enabled reading, communion and communication with past generations, with other cultures, nations, ideals. ...
STUDY BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE (UK): WHAT WRITERS NEED TODAY
20. June, 2019 Defending the ecosystem for books and writers: What writers need today. Study by the Royal Society of Literature (UK) In this survey, writers were asked to tell what they need to work. The Study shows a literary landscape ...
Authors’ Rights are fundamental for culture, freedom of expression and a diverse Europe
Brussels, June 11, 2019 The new elected Board of the European Writers’ Council (EWC) sets its agenda: to strengthen the moral and economic rights of authors and keeping the diversity of literature alive, the most powerful and independent instrument of democracy ...
Freedom of expression, democracy and a diverse Europe
European Writers’ Council: Authors’ Rights are fundamental for freedom of expression, democracy and a diverse Europe The new elected Board of the European Writers’ Council (EWC) sets his agenda: strengthen the moral and economic rights of authors and keeping the diversity of literature alive, the most powerful ...
EWC signs Joint Statement on the Copyright Directive
We, the undersigned organisations, representing authors, composers, writers, journalists, photographers and others working in all artistic fields, news agencies, book, press and music publishers, audiovisual and independent music producers call on the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament to adopt the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. ...
Controlled Digital Lending (CDL): An appeal to readers and librarians from the victims of CDL
As working writers, translators, photographers, and graphic artists; as unions, organizations, and federations representing the creators of works included in published books; ...