"Gowers has already rejected this so it will be interesting to see how that goes, but we will be keen to see the evidence that Gowers collected on that being put before the European Commission," said Hogg.
Hogg said, though, that ORG had no principled objection to a pan-European copyright licence, and that it could solve a problem that certainly exists.
"It is certainly good news that the European Commission is looking it and if there can be a simpler system then both for artists and consumers that is good news," she said. "But what's clear is that this is yet another front for consumer groups to be aware of."
The consultation paper, published 3rd January, says that the Commission wants "a framework for DRM transparency concerning, amongst others, the interoperability of different DRMs, and ensuring that consumers are properly informed of any usage restrictions placed on downloaded content, as well as of the interoperability of related online services."
The consultation also addresses End User Licence Agreements (EULAs) and asks whether reducing the complexity and enhancing the legibility of EULAs would help to develop online creative content services in Europe.
The consultation closes on 29th February. Reding said that a formal Recommendation on how to achieve a single market for online content will be proposed by mid-2008.
This article was contributed to ITproportal.com by http://www.OUT-LAW.com.
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