Dear Colleagues

Apologies for cross posting. You may like to see the following. Below is the
text of the latest advert by the European Fair Practices in Copyright
Campaign (EFPICC) of which the LA through EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library
and Documentation Associations) is a member. It will appear in the weekly
European Voice newspaper, and in the (euro) Parliament Magazine on 8 and 12
February. Thank you for your support.

Barbara Stratton
Information Manager, Members' Information Centre
E-mail:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]
The Library Association, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE
General email:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]  Web:
<http://www.la-hq.org.uk/> www.la-hq.org.uk/

Dear MEPs,

Consumers, disability groups, students, researchers, libraries, music users,
service providers, digital music distributors, network operators, and blank
media, IT, telephone and consumer electronics producers will be directly
affected by your vote on the copyright directive. If only rightholders'
interests are taken into account, European consumers and business will be
denied:
*       the right to fair access and USE of content
*       the opportunity to serve the public interest to provide information
*       the use of modern study methods
*       the opportunity to invest in new digital equipment in Europe
*       the chance develop healthy online businesses in the EU digital space
*       the great opportunities offered by digital technology to distribute
content in a safe and fast way.

In the spirit of an "Information Society for all", we ask, the MEPs, to
maintain, without unnecessary delay, the delicate balance achieved in the
Common Position on the proposed copyright directive.

Prompt adoption of the directive will guarantee that EU citizens continue to
enjoy content in the digital age, ensure appropriate protection for
rightholders, and provide legal certainty for European businesses.