December 2009 M34 comment 19 comment & debate Title Last issue (M33) Debbie Stones wrote about the copyright policy debate taking place in Brussels. In this issue, she updates us on the series of Online Commerce Roundtables that have since taken place there The aim of the European Roundtable events was to debate the barriers that currently exist to online retailing in the EU, and to explore potential initiatives in overcoming them. As a direct consequence of the Roundtable, PRS for Music is now engaged in two ongoing areas of activity. The first is to explore possible models for new licensing platforms where different repertoires could be brought together for the purposes of multi-territorial licensing. We will be doing this as part of a CISAC working group and via individual discussions with key European collecting societies. The second area of activity is as part of a Working Group set up by the Commission's `Directorate General of Competition'. The Group comprises the Roundtable participants: SACEM, PRS for Music, STIM, Universal, EMI, Amazon, Nokia and iTunes. Other organisations will also be asked to input on an ad hoc basis. The key aim of the Working Group is to develop a common framework for rights ownership information, to consider the requirements of such a framework and whether the creation of a global repertoire database is possible and desirable. The Group will make an assessment of tools and systems already in existence and what might facilitate interconnection between existing rights ownership information systems. Its remit is to also look at other issues such as more open access to rights ownership data. Progress has already been made and we will be bringing you regular updates from the Working Group in the pages of the magazine. To read a joint statement issued by the participants go to http://bit.ly/5dZxjw Debbie Stones is Legal Counsel at PRS for Music comment Final.indd 19 7/12/09 14:51:30