On September 12, 2011, the Council of the European Union amended the Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights (Directive 2011/77/UE).
The term of protection for performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations will be 70 years. Said term is harmonized with the duration of copyright term protection for authors. However, we remind that copyright term protection for authors is 70 years after lifetime whereas copyright term protection for related rights is 70 years after the work is lawfully made available to the public.
Said extension of the term of protection appears as an award granted to performers. Indeed, life expectancy has increased and therefore they will be assured of a stable income for their performances during their entire lifetime.
The EU Member States shall transpose the Directive 2011/77/UE by November 1, 2013.
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