With today’s vote on cross-border portability, the European Parliament removed legal barriers to accessing online content services in another EU country. Soon, EU citizens will be able to enjoy their online subscriptions, for listening to music or watching films, anywhere in Europe the same way they do at home, as long as their stay abroad is temporary – for example on holiday or during Erasmus studies.
The European Parliament’s Rapporteur Jean-Marie Cavada said:
“Today, the European Parliament paved the way for wider access to online content across the EU, to a portability without frontiers. This is a vital step towards the completion of the digital single market and for further facilitating the free movement of people.”
“With this report, we are adapting to new technologies and stimulating innovation, while at the same time securing copyrights as well as privacy.”
“I am happy that these new rules, which will create a genuine added value to all citizens in Europe, will enter into force soon. They will not only apply to streaming services for watching TV series or listening to music, but also to e-books.”
Note to editors
The rules will apply from the first half of 2018 and also apply to subscriptions already in place
