Activities of Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO related to 2015/2147(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (A8-0371/2015 - Kaja Kallas, Evelyne Gebhardt) ES
Amendments (90)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to Parliament's resolution on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2015 (A8-0037/2015),
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that stimulating growth, innovation, consumer choice and competitiveness is of the utmost importance and believes that the digital single market is key to achieving this objective by removing barriers to trade, streamlining processes for online businesses and supporting creators, investors and consumers; calls in this regard for competitiveness and impact tests on all new proposals;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that territoriality is the cornerstone of the European audio-visual industry to create value, employment, growth and innovation; estimates that pan-European licenses could reduce the supply of contents available to users and finally also reduce the creation of European contents, jeopardizing the activity, employment and cultural diversity itself; stresses that there is no contradiction between the principle of territoriality and measures to promote the portability of contents;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that the European cultural and creative industries are an engine for economic growth, innovation and job creation in the EU, as they employ more than 7 million people and generate more than 4.2% of EU GDP; highlights the fact that the cultural and creative industries continued to create jobs during the economic crisis of 2008-2012 and have played an important role in boosting the Union’s competitiveness;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Underlines that copyright and related rights constitute the legal framework for the European cultural and creative industries (CCIs) and form the basis for their ability to generate economic activity, competitiveness, employment, creativity and innovation;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out that specific measures aimed to address the needs of people with disabilities should be included as an essential part of the Digital Single Market strategy;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for targeted, evidence-based reforms to enhance cross-border access to legally available online content but stresses the importance of not mandatindiscriminately promoting the issuing of pan- European licences; calls instead for reforms to enable the, given the importance of territorial licencing in the EU and particularly in the field of audiovisual and cinematographic productions; calls, therefore, for reforms designed to enhanced the portability, within the EU, of legally acquired content to be prioritised; and legally available online content services to be prioritised, with full respect for intellectual property rights and related rights;
Amendment 63 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the increasing power of some internet intermediaries and the negative impact of their dominant position on the creative potential of the authors, the fair remuneration for their work and the development of services offered by other distributors of works;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Reminds that digital technologies have redefined the value chain in the cultural sector in favour of service providers and online communication to the detriment of authors, performers or producers of copyrighted works, who do not receive fair and appropriate remuneration for them; asks the European Commission to investigate the extent and impact of this transfer of value to Internet intermediaries and requests a review of the Directive on electronic commerce to deal with this transfer of value;
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that, to move towards a true digital single market, it is necessary to create a suitable tax framework to achieve VAT harmonisation in the digital sector, also ensuring fiscal equilibrium with a view to preventing fiscal relocation in the European Union as being discussed within the OECD;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the Commission to submit legislation regarding cross-border contracts encouraging measures to lighten administrative burdens and overcome obstacles in the way of businesses and consumers conducting market transactions, especially those resulting from the existence of different VAT systems, in a bid to achieve a genuine digital single market;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Views territoriality as a cornerstone for the generation of value, employment, growth and innovation in the European audiovisual industries; considers that pan-European licences could lead to a decrease in the content made available to users and, ultimately, to the generation of less content across Europe, thereby posing a risk to activities, employment and cultural diversity itself; points out that there is no incompatibility between the principle of territoriality and measures designed to promote the portability of content;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas all Union policies and legislation in the area of the Digital Single Market should allow new opportunities for users and European businesses to emerge, especially within today’s service society, while taking a holistic approach that considers their social dimension as they inevitably involve structural changes;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Digital Single Market is a key instrument for the relaunching of economic growth and quality job creation in the EU;
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that copyright and all rights related to copyright constitute the legal framework for European cultural and creative industries and are the basis of their ability to generate economic activity, competitiveness, employment, creativity and innovation.
Amendment 103 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that internet service providers should bear greater responsibility for illegal content made available on the internet and should, along with other actors in the supply chain such as payment providers, play a significant role in tackling copyright abuses; considers it necessary, in this regard, to reconsider the responsibilities of Internet intermediaries by means of a review of the e-Commerce Directive;
Amendment 105 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that activities which violate copyrights are a serious threat to the operation of the digital single market, to develop the legal offer of cultural and creative contents diversified online and to maintain the activity and employment;
Amendment 109 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Considers that a common and coordinated effort should be made to combat the violation of copyright in the EU to ensure their protection and fair remuneration; considers it necessary to raise consumer awareness of the consequences of the infringement of copyright and related rights, and calls for an appropriate solution to ensure that nobody benefits from breach of copyrights;
Amendment 122 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that creative works are one of the main sources of income for the digital economy, for both search engines and social networks or user-generated content platforms, but there is no proportion between the value transferred to these intermediaries and the remuneration received by the holders of the rights to these creative works;
Amendment 126 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Points to the growing power of some internet intermediaries and the negative impact of this dominant position on the creative potential of authors, fair remuneration for their work, and the development of the services offered by other distributors of works;
Amendment 127 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the legal thinking behind Directive 93/83/EEC2 provides after further assessment is conducted, might be a suitable point of departure for measures to improve cross-border access to content in the digital single market. __________________ 2 Council Directive 93/83/EEC of 27 September 1993 on the coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable transmission (OJ L 248, 6.10.1993, p. 15).
Amendment 129 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Points out that digital technologies have redefined the value chain in the cultural economy, in favour of online communication service providers and to the detriment of authors, performers and producers of copyrighted works, who do not receive fair and appropriate remuneration for their work; calls on the Commission to investigate the extent and impact of this transfer of value to internet intermediaries; calls for the e-Commerce Directive to be revised in order to tackle this transfer of value;
Amendment 132 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Suggests a review of the liability of service providers and intermediaries in order to clarify their legal status and liability with regard to copyrights, guarantee that due diligence is exercised throughout the creative process and supply chain, and ensure a fair remuneration for creators and rightholders within the European Union;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas fast, secure and reliable connections are the backbone of the Digital Single Market; whereas a regulatory framework that encourages investment in fixed and mobile electronic communication infrastructure is therefore essential for a prosperous Digital Single Market;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that copyright enforcement is important and therefore calls for a modernised approach to the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights online, particularly with regard to commercial- scale infringement;
Amendment 144 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to adopt an Accessibility Act that guarantees the accessibility of online goods and services for people with disabilities;
Amendment 154 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that copyright infringing activities pose a serious threat to the functioning of the digital single market, to the development of the legal supply of diversified cultural and creative content online and to maintaining activity and jobs;
Amendment 157 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Believes that a common coordinated effort should be made to combat copyright infringement in the EU in order to ensure the protection of copyright and fair remuneration; considers it necessary to raise consumer awareness of the consequences of infringement of copyright and related rights, and urges a proper solution to ensure that no-one makes a profit out of copyright infringement;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the 2013 joint study by the the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market and the European Patent Office entitled 'Intellectual property rights intensive industries: contribution to economic performance and employment in the European Union' shows that, between 2008 and 2010, these sectors generated 35% of all jobs in the EU and 39% of economic activity; whereas pay in these sectors is considerably higher, with 40% bonuses;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the European cultural and creative sector is generating economic growth and job creation in the European Union, employing over 7 million and people and accounting for over 4.2% of GDP, being the sector with the third largest number of workers in the EU, as revealed by the 'Creating Growth' study; whereas cultural activities continued to generate employment during the economic crisis of 2008-2012, while jobs were being lost in other economic sectors;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication on ‘A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe’; considers that a fair and effective Digital Single Market, based on a harmonised set of rules, could foster EU competitiveness, have positive effects on growth and jobs, relaunch the Single Market and make the society more inclusive offering new opportunities to citizens and businesses; believes that the horizontal approach taken in the Communication needs now to be strengthened in its implementation as the digital sector affects every dimension of society and the economy;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication on ‘A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe’; believes that the horizontal approach taken needs to be strengthened in its implementation as the digital sector affects every dimension of society and the economy; calls on the Commission to comply with the planned schedule and launch the 16 initiatives aimed at achieving a true Digital Single Market for Europe, in order to contribute to the EU´s economic recovery, improve its internal and external competitiveness and promote social cohesion;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Agrees with the Commission that the governance and timely delivery of the Digital Single Market is a shared responsibility of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission; encourages the Commission to engage with societal and social stakeholders and to involve them in the decision making process to the widest extent possible;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission to conduct a study which explores the wider impact of digitalisation on European societies in order to establish how and to which degree the phenomena has altered life in each and every Member State and to share these findings with all EU institutions and Member States; on this basis to assess whether and to which extent further action in the respective policy fields is required;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better and simpler regulation should help to examine policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation of legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trust in digital environment and services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust should be at the basis of botha precondition to fully unlock the potential of a Digital Single Market; is strongly convinced that public policy and business models should ensure that trust;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 1 (new)
Paragraph 3 – indent 1 (new)
- Points out that the impacts of the digital revolution on social standards and labour conditions have to be taken into account while adapting current laws and regulations in order to protect citizens and companies alike; encourages the Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the quantitative and qualitative effects of digitalisation on employment conditions;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory framework fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, and a long term investment strategy in infrastructure, skills, research and innovation to bridge the digital divide;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU if they are effectively interconnected and share results effectively, doing more to promote the digitization of SMEs and enabling them to get the most out of the digital economy;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that, according to the Innovation Union scoreboard, although EU performance in the field of innovation has improved, halving the US lead over it, it is still lagging behind regarding relations between academia and the business world; calls on the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach to open innovation and knowledge transfer (e.g. through public-private partnerships, European technology platforms or joint technology initiatives);
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Considers it necessary to promote micro-financing for social entrepreneurship and innovation in the European Union to encourage the creation of digital start-ups in a bid to bridge the gap with other economic entities in the world regarding the development of such emerging companies; calls for them to be turned to account, if necessary increasing available financing from the Employment and Social Innovation programme , the Structural Funds, Horizon 2020 and the new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI);
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned about the different national approaches taken so far by Member States to regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to. Therefore, calls on the Commission to propose a coordinated and homogeneous European legislative framework which will be able to create a fair and competitive market for both consumers and businesses while preserveing the integrity of the single market and the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovation. This harmonized set of rules shall have the purpose of stimulating a proper environment for innovative European start-ups and SMEs, exploiting all the potentialities offered by new platforms and sharing economy and, at the same time, preventing possible disruptive effects on traditional sectors of the economy;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned about the different national approaches taken to regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to preserve the integrity of the single market and, to effectively protect consumers and workers' rights and to promote the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovation;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Regrets that the Commission's strategy neglects the accessibility aspect; reminds the Commission that there are 80 million EU citizens with disabilities and an aging population of 190 million of 50+; calls therefore on the Commission to ensure an appropriate level of accessibility in all legislative and non- legislative proposals related to the Digital Single Market; emphasises that accessibility is best achieved and cost- effectively introduced when incorporated from the outset;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Emphasises the need to swiftly adopt a proposal on the accessibility of public bodies' websites; regrets that the Council is not proceeding on this proposal and calls on the Commission to facilitate the finding of a common agreement;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Asks the Commission to address the different tax challenges raised by the digital economy and to closely monitor its continuous evolution to assess the impact on tax systems; in particular, urges the Commission to guarantee an effective level playing field and a fair fiscal treatment among all actors present in the digital market, aligning taxation with the economic activities and guaranteeing that taxes are paid where profits are generated;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that in most Member States public and private investment is insufficient; urges the Commission to take additional measures to improve and facilitate access to finance for SMEs, particularly in respect of key sectors, including the emerging digital sector; asks the Commission to respect the timetable for the launch of the EFSI immediately, so that it has the intended effect of stimulating the real economy and boosting recovery in the Member States; considers that these investments will serve to strengthen EU competitiveness in key growth sectors such as the Digital Single Market, services, energy and transport;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Urges the Commission to adopt all measures necessary to ensure effective implementation of the principle of net neutrality, treating all Internet traffic equally, without discrimination, restrictions or interference, regardless of sender, recipient, type, content, device, service or application, controls being carried out only in exceptional circumstances and within clearly defined statutory limits;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -7 a (new)
Paragraph -7 a (new)
-7a. Points out that e-commerce generates EUR 500 billion per year in the European Union; points out that net security and consumer trust are the cornerstones of the digital single market, and urges that progress be made on building genuine cross-border e-commerce;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Points out that boosting consumer trust in online purchases is crucial, and the main causes of distrust are: lack of security when making payments, doubts as to the possibility of returning goods and products, location, and availability for delivery; calls on the Commission to ensure that practical steps are taken to remedy these causes of distrust;
Amendment 413 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that a full harmonisation of the legal framework governing online sales irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, while maintaining the coherence of online and offline rules regarding legal remedies, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approachB2C digital content purchases irrespective of whether it is embodied on tangible mediums or intangible format, in particular rules on conformity, remedies in case of lack of conformity, termination and modification of B2C digital content contracts, irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approach in order to close legal gaps and to improve the conditions for the functioning of the internal market;
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Draws attention to the need to adjust intellectual property rights when online sales of B2C digital content products are being newly regulated; stresses that digital content products or services supplied to the consumer must be free of any rights of a third party;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Underlines the need to define liability of the seller of digital products and services in B2C contracts for any failure to supply or to provide access to the digital content product or service and for any lack of conformity; points to the obligation of the seller to have the burden of proof with respect to the conformity of the digital content product or service;
Amendment 428 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Draws attention to the need for equivalent legal remedies for intangible digital goods and services which are offered to consumers ostensibly for free;
Amendment 430 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is concerned about the intention to create a separate legal instrument for online sales of tangible goods, as such an instrument would inevitably create an undesirable disparity between the applicable laws for offline and online purchases and believes that these questions should be addressed within the REFIT process;
Amendment 432 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8e. Is concerned that the implementation of legislation applicable to B2C online sales contracts, which would give priority to the national law of the seller's seat or residence (country of origin principle) is inconsistent with Article 6 of the Rome I Regulation;
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that there is a risk that the Commission’'s proposals for consumer sales law entail a growing disparity between the applicable legal standards for consumers' offline and online purchases;
Amendment 449 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the imprecision of the Commission’s proposal regarding a legislative measure for a more comprehensive online consumer sales law that covers digital content productintangible digital goods as well as tangible goods;
Amendment 461 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is sceptical about the legal nature of model contracts regarding consumers' online sales of tangible goods in the absence of statutory regulation;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission to submit a legislative initiative on cross-border contracts, promoting measures designed to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and consumers in relation to sales made within the single market; this initiative should in particular simplify the burdens and procedures arising from different VAT regimes for consumers and businesses, in order to build a genuine digital single market;
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Requests an ‘Active Consumers’ strategy to assess in particular whether consumer switching is facilitated in the online world, and whether action is needed to make consumer switching easier, in order to boost competition in online markets; points further to the need to ensure accessible e-commerce services through the whole value chain, including accessible information, accessible payment mechanisms and customer service;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibilities of introducing an EU trustmark for online sales in order to induce trust, particularly in relation to cross-border online sales, points to the already existing Trustmark schemes in Member States and call on the Commission to draw best practices from these experiences;
Amendment 486 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to establish an EU-wide online dispute resolution platform in 2016; believes that this measure will increase consumer trust in online purchases;
Amendment 496 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that the zero-tolerance principle as regards the transposition of EU regulations must be a fundamental rule for the Member States and the European Union; takes the view, nevertheless, that infringement proceedings should always be the last resort and should be opened only after several attempts at coordination and rectification have been made; emphasises that it is vital to shorten the duration of these proceedings;
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that accessible, affordable, efficient and high-quality delivery services are an essential prerequisite for thriving cross-border e-commerce; supports the proposed measures to improve price transparency, interoperability and regulatory oversight that should target both the smooth functioning of cross-border parcel delivery markets and compliance with relevant social and labour rights, allowing enough flexibility for the delivery market to evolve and adapt to technological innovations; underlines that the new measures should ensure that any variation in the prices between domestic and cross-border delivery should be permitted only if duly justified and if it reflects the variation in actual costs incurred by the providers for delivering the service;
Amendment 522 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that one of the major challenges facing e-commerce is physical delivery to the customer; notes, likewise, the expansion of e-commerce collection points other than the collection point at the store; calls for action to be taken to promote networks of collection points that will enable users to receive and collect e- commerce packages in multi-apartment buildings or public areas by means of automated terminals or lockers, and calls for action to promote convenient delivery points – for both deliveries and returns – that may offer significant benefits for both businesses and consumers by reducing costs and increasing the percentage of successful deliveries; considers, further, that these networks will contribute to environmental sustainability and the creation of new jobs;
Amendment 534 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to draw up specific instruments to facilitate the adaptation of technology and encourage SME participation in cross-border online sales;
Amendment 563 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that ambitious actions are needed to improve access to legal digital content, in particular by ending unjustified geo- blocking practices and unfair price discrimination based on geographical location;
Amendment 597 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Highlights, however, the key role played by territorial licencing in financing and producing audiovisual and cinematographic content and calls, therefore, for reforms designed to enhance the portability, within the EU, of legally acquired and legally available online content services to be prioritised, with full respect for intellectual property rights and related rights;
Amendment 631 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2.5 - Paragraph 18 a (new)
Subheading 2.5 - Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers it necessary, in order to move towards a genuine digital single market, to create a suitable tax framework that will entail VAT harmonisation; believes that this framework should also guarantee balanced taxation that will prevent tax relocation in the European Union, as currently being discussed within the OECD;
Amendment 643 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in network; to this end, while guaranteeing fair and sustainable competition, the EU should promote a regulatory framework that will encourage infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and a diverse range of choices for consumers;
Amendment 673 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls on the Commission to prioritise investment in the deployment of digital infrastructure that will provide high-speed connectivity, both fixed and mobile, for all citizens, covering the entire territory of the European Union, guaranteeing coverage for rural, remote and outermost areas, so that all European citizens can benefit from this type of connection regardless of their place of residence; takes the view that this investment offers a potential for convergence that should be encouraged by the Commission, with the financial instruments available to it;
Amendment 677 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights that in order to reap the full benefits offered by ICT and to keep up with other international markets, roll- out of high-speed fixed and wireless broadband networks, especially in rural and remote areas, should remain a key priority for Member States, creating a vital social and economic driver in areas which would otherwise face substantial and at times detrimental isolation due to a number of factors with poor provision of physical as well as digital infrastructure playing a key role;
Amendment 685 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that strong public investment in telecommunications infrastructure to promote the digital single market may also have the effect of attracting private investment in this field, which will help to strengthen the Europe- wide economic recovery, stimulate lasting growth and boost the EU’s global competitiveness; calls on the Commission, together with the Member States, to guarantee strong and lasting public investment to this end;
Amendment 694 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Commission to study the role that the development of networks and infrastructure characterised by operator and service provider neutrality might play in speeding up the deployment of broadband services, content and applications that will improve Europe’s competitiveness;
Amendment 706 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of over-the-top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and, facilitate investment, safeguard consumer rights and ensure fair competition;
Amendment 746 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls as a priority for a harmonised framework for spectrum allocation to boost long-term infrastructure investments; considers it necessary in this connection to take account of the exponential growth in mobile data traffic in reallocating frequencies;
Amendment 748 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses the need to encourage greater and more effective coordination of spectrum policy, so as to provide adequate scope for the development of the Digital Single Market and ensure a secure framework for investment; suggests, specifically, the need for increased coordination concerning the conditions, deadlines and duration of licenses;
Amendment 757 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Recalls the suggestions made by the High Level Group chaired by Pascal Lamy; calls on the Commission to draw up a specific roadmap to clarify the future uses of the various bands of the spectrum together with clear timeframes, with a view to avoiding situations such as that seen with reallocation of the 800 MHz band, where wide disparities between different Member States have delayed the roll-out of 4G in Europe;
Amendment 792 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the implementing measures of the Connected Continent Package deliver the end of roaming charges for all European consumers by June 2017; Or.
Amendment 798 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls for the swift adoption of the Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive, which will bring greater security to, and confidence in, the digital domain and data protection;
Amendment 822 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Urges the Commission to develop an innovation-friendly policy that fosters fair competition between, and innovation in, online platforms; considers that the priorities should be transparency, facilitation of switching between platforms or online services, access to platforms, ensuring the ownership and control of users of their digital footprint and identifying and addressing barriers to the emergence and scale-up of platforms;
Amendment 846 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses that many small and medium-sized businesses operating on online digital sales platforms face various barriers that put them at a competitive disadvantage in respect of the products sold by those platforms, thus potentially jeopardising their viability in the short and medium term and hindering the development of the Digital Single Market; calls on the Commission to speed up the investigation it is conducting on this matter and to take appropriate measures to ensure equal opportunities in digital trade; urges the Commission and Member States to develop comprehensive strategies to help small and medium-sized businesses adapt to the digital age;
Amendment 866 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’s initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Economy as part of the upcoming Internal Market Strategy; strategy on the Internal Market and arrangements for responsibilities; stresses the need, given the gradual convergence between services offered by telecommunications providers and by platforms, for progress towards a consistent legal framework laying down similar standards so as to ensure effective consumer protection;
Amendment 879 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Asks the Commission to draw up a regulatory framework for digital platforms that takes account of the concept of platforms, their position in the market and the public interest and reviews and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of digital platforms;
Amendment 905 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Calls on the Commission to take into consideration the ever-widening phenomena of crowdworking and crowdsourcing which further decentralises income tax liabilities, limits the possibilities of workers/contractors in this area to organise and undermines national and European social and labour standards; calls on the Commission to develop minimum labour and social standards for crowdworkers;
Amendment 906 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the opportunities for growth in the digital era of the sharing economy, whose development is surely an unstoppable process; underlines, furthermore, that working conditions and remuneration vary greatly in different economic areas of the world, a situation that may give rise to competitive inequalities or undermine social protection; calls on the Commission, therefore, to foster the development of a comprehensive strategy on the digital economy at international level, particularly with the ILO and the WTO, with a view to taking full advantage of the digital and sharing economy, without causing social and employment conditions to deteriorate;
Amendment 921 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers, in order to ensure trust in digital services, that increased resources from the public and private sector, are requireds well as a much more ambitious level of cooperation among Member States and between them and EU institutions are required in order to strengthen the security and integrity of IT systems and, online networks and the encryption of communication, to improve cyber-attack prevention and to increase knowledge of basic security processes among users of digital services, ensuring thus complete consumers' trust towards digital environment;
Amendment 939 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls for the expedited adoption of the directive concerning measures to ensure a high common level of network and information security across the Union;
Amendment 962 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that most Member States are below the Europe 2020 targets for R+D; asks the Commission to honour its intention to publish the review of the Europe 2020 strategy at the end of 2015 at the latest, in order to strengthen the Digital Single Market as key instrument for reviving economic growth and quality job creation in the EU; calls on the Member States to guide their economies more decisively towards a focus on innovation and knowledge;