Cross-border licensing and collective management: a proposal for the online context

Examines the European Commission's ideas on reforming the collective management of intellectual property rights, in particular cross border licensing, as stated in its July 2005 Study on Community Initiative on the Cross Border Collective Management of Copyright. Reviews those aspects of the existing regime and changing commercial climate that prompted the Commission's review. Discusses the study's introductory points in respect of online music services and bilateral agreements and its resulting proposals in respect of three possible policy directions, and evaluates the likely practical implications of the Commission's approach.