More than 270 organisations from across the cultural sector have today (March 19) shown support for the Copyright Directive.

It marks a final big lobbying push ahead of the plenary vote in the European Parliament on March 26.

A panel of leaders from European trade bodies shared their views on the reforms at an event in Brussels today (March 19). It follows lobbying against the measures by YouTube, who would be affected by the measures on user-generated content contained in Article 13. 

Today's show of support for the Copyright Directive and call for MEPs to vote for it was across the board, including creators, performers, publishers, producers, news agencies, cultural workers, conservatoires, choirs, grassroots cultural organisations.

Helen Smith, executive chair, IMPALA, said: "Platforms facilitate a unique relationship between citizens and creators. The directive will boost this. It shifts responsibility away from citizens and encourages new entrants to the market. It is part of a wider bid by the EU to deliver fairness and sustainability in the online world."

Jean-Noël Tronc, vice-president of GESAC, said: “Next week’s vote is a Yes or No. We ask MEPs to stand up for a strong Europe against tech giants’ manipulation. We ask MEPs to side with its citizens, creators and creative sector against the exploitive practices of a few platforms and their Pirate supporters.”

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