STATEMENTS

EWC Statements

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

June 1, 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…

Council of Europe says “Yes to Authors’ Rights” and “No to the TDM exceptions for AI” – but when will the European Commission ever see reason?

May 29, 2026

While the 46-nation international organisation PACE, speaking on behalf of 700 million Europeans firmly upholds the values and rights of authors, the EU AI Office persists in its misguided stance on the TDM exception. The EWC calls on the Commission to listen to PACE’s arguments.…

WIPO’s 48th SCCR – increasing pressure on human authors

May 25, 2026

From 19th to 22nd May, at World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO’s 48th session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and related Rights (SCCR), the European Writers’ Council was represented by Secretary General Nicole Pfister Fetz on site in Geneva and remotely by Commissioner for Political Affairs Nina George. (more…)

The Digital Omnibus on AI is running over European values, rights and fairness

May 13, 2026

The importance of acting quick; but for who? The Digital Omnibus on AI is running over European values, rights and fairness Brussels, 12th May 2026 Our concern (more…)

World Book Day – or: The Writer as Critical Infrastructure Remembrance Day

April 23, 2026

Brussels, 23rd April 2026 Celebrating the UNESCO World Book & Copyright Day 2026 – or: (more…)

Solidarity with writers in Belarus against increasing repression

April 15, 2026

Statement of the European Writers’ Council Brussels, 15th April 2026 The European Writers’ Council stands in solidarity with writers in Belarus and with our member organisation. We express our support for the statements of PEN International and the International Publishers Association, which draw attention…

WIPO’s AIII Launch: EWC’s intervention and appeal to always respect the ART principle

March 17, 2026

EWC at the WIPO Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Interchange (AIII) Geneva, 17 March 2026 On the occasion of the launch of the AI Infrastructure Interchange (AIII, pronounced “A-triple-I”), and the presentation of the selected experts within the Technical Exchange Network (TEN), EWC took the floor to…

EWC Analysis of the adopted EP resolution on “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges”

March 13, 2026

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.

March 11, 2026

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…

EWC on the MFF/AgoraEU proposals: “Marginal compared to what Europe’s vibrant cultural landscape offers”

March 4, 2026

Foster the writer as critical infrastructure of European values, fundamental rights, and a stable democracy. Feedback of the European Writers’ Council (EWC) on the Report on the Proposal for a Regulation establishing the ‘AgoraEU’ programme for 2028-2034 (2025/0550(COD)) Dear Co-Rapporteur and Shadow Rapporteurs, Dear Members…

“The Writer is first – but considered last”: EWC’s submission to the CULT’s Own Initiative Report on CCS in the Age of AI

March 2, 2026

“The Writer is first – but considered last”. Written submission by the EWC on the CULT Own Initiative Report (2025/2180(INI)): Six key aspects the authors of the Book Sector urge the Rapporteurs to be considered. (more…)

PLR International: EWC is founding member of New Association

December 11, 2025

International book sector organisations jointly establish new association The European Writers’ Council (EWC) is proud to be a founding member of the new PLR International (Public Lending Right* International) association. We are convinced (more…)

Joint Call by EWC & CEATL to stand in solidarity with human translators

November 24, 2025

Joint Statement by EWC and CEATL to call on the global book sector, including writers, agents, publishers and readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary translators. (more…)

EWC stays cautious on the Anthropic settlement proposal for U.S. copyright claims

September 9, 2025

Brussels, 9th of September 2025 PDF: EWC Press Release Anthropic Settlement Press Release Cautious Welcome by EWC for the Anthropic Settlement proposal: The right signal, but no basis for future remuneration negotiations Anthropic, a Californian-based tech-giant who trained their AI large language model on pirated…

Joint Statement by EWC, EFJ and CEATL on the Own Initiative Report Copyright and AI by the JURI Committee and Rapporteur MEP Axel Voss.

September 1, 2025

Joint Statement by EWC, EFJ and CEATL on the Own Initiative Report Copyright and AI by the JURI Committee and Rapporteur MEP Axel Voss. On the occasion of the stakeholder roundtable to discuss Axel Voss’ own initiative report on AI & Copyright on September 1st…

EWC’s Position | GPAI Code of Practice & the Template

July 26, 2025

The GPAI Code of Practice is an industry-over-friendly fig leave, and an invitation to a self-service buffet, serving (non-EU) AI companies. It could have been a (more…)

Feedback of the EWC on the DRAFT REPORT on Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges (2025/2058(INI))

July 14, 2025

The European Writers’ Council (EWC) expresses its sincere gratitude for the important and long-awaited strategy and recommendations outlined in the own-initiative draft report Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges (2025/2058(INI)). Brussels, 14th July 2025 : As the EWC is the world’s largest…

Code of Practice: EWC and European Human and Civil Rights Organisations urge Commissioner Virkkunen to bring back public transparency

July 4, 2025

A presentation from the EU Commission about the change to the EU General Purpose AI Code of Practice is raising massive concerns. The Changes implicate the deletion of public transparency provisions. About AI: We have the right to know what’s in the black box Authors…

STATEMENTS

EWC Statements

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

Council of Europe says “Yes to Authors’ Rights” and “No to the TDM exceptions for AI” – but when will the European Commission ever see reason?

WIPO’s 48th SCCR – increasing pressure on human authors

The Digital Omnibus on AI is running over European values, rights and fairness

World Book Day – or: The Writer as Critical Infrastructure Remembrance Day

Solidarity with writers in Belarus against increasing repression

WIPO’s AIII Launch: EWC’s intervention and appeal to always respect the ART principle

EWC Analysis of the adopted EP resolution on “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges”

When ART rules: The EWC welcomes the adoption of the “Voss Report”, setting up clear protections for authors in the era of generative AI.

EWC on the MFF/AgoraEU proposals: “Marginal compared to what Europe’s vibrant cultural landscape offers”

“The Writer is first – but considered last”: EWC’s submission to the CULT’s Own Initiative Report on CCS in the Age of AI

PLR International: EWC is founding member of New Association

Joint Call by EWC & CEATL to stand in solidarity with human translators

EWC stays cautious on the Anthropic settlement proposal for U.S. copyright claims

Joint Statement by EWC, EFJ and CEATL on the Own Initiative Report Copyright and AI by the JURI Committee and Rapporteur MEP Axel Voss.

EWC’s Position | GPAI Code of Practice & the Template

Feedback of the EWC on the DRAFT REPORT on Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges (2025/2058(INI))

Code of Practice: EWC and European Human and Civil Rights Organisations urge Commissioner Virkkunen to bring back public transparency

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#FreeAllWords: International Text and Translation Fund of the European Writers‘ Council (EWC) gives a voice to authors from Belarus and Ukraine

STATEMENTS

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