4 ms·

Somebody should tell Netflix that the EU is a unified market by law that does not exempt any digital service. So they had to sell to all EU countries right from

by antman 11y ago

Somebody should tell Netflix that the EU is a unified market by law that does not exempt any digital service. So they had to sell to all EU countries right from the start. At least the whole story with the vpns can stop. (Unless you live in Greece...) http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/buying-services/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/buyi... ""For these types of services, and others, you have the right to buy from a service provider located in another EU country without: -price discrimination -having the seller refuse to sell to you simply because you live in a different EU country."" edit: You cannot deny services to the whole European Economic Area (wikipedia has a map so you can compare and see the excluded countries) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area edit:formatting

avar 11y ago
If you're right why do you think Netflix's CEO is saying the EEA isn't there yet due to the lack of a digital single market[1] and why is the European commission proposing a "digital single market" as part of its Europe 2020 plans[2]? 1. http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/netflix-ceo-europe-needs-strong-net-neutrality-rules-314368 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/netflix-ceo-eur... 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_2020 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_2020
joars 11y ago
I think geo-blocking is still legal. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/internet-services/rights-e-commerce/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/internet-serv... says that the provider needs to inform about "...whether any geographical restrictions apply to the use of the content and if private copies are allowed."
icebraining 11y ago
Read the Directive. It only prohibits Netflix from not providing service based on the nationality or place of residence of the recipient, if the service is available to the public at large in that country. It does not force you to provide a service to the whole EU. Essentially, if you live in a country and you then travel to another EU country where Netflix is available, they can't deny you service just because you don't live there.
antman 11y ago
Cannot edit my comment original but I found the EU audiovisual exemption in the original Services Directive (24)
antman 11y ago
Cannot edit my comment original but I found the EU audiovisual exemption in the original Services Directive http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32006L0123&from=EN http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELE... (24) Audiovisual services, whatever their mode of transmission, including within cinemas, should also be excluded from the scope of this Directive. Furthermore, this Directive should not apply to aids granted by Member States in the audiovisual sector which are covered by Community rules on competition. Disregard my top level comment, Netflix doesnt have to provide to all EU countries, its still vpn for the rest.
c3o 11y ago
"the EU is a unified market by law" Unfortunately, copyright is not unified in the EU. VOD companies need to clear the licenses of every single bit of copyrighted content 28 times to be able to legally offer something on the "unified market" online. The European Commission has announced they want to improve the "digital single market" and are reviewing copyright, but unfortunately the copyright industry is completely blocking any meaningful harmonisation. The publishing and film industries are literally arguing having 1 EU copyright would instantly kill the EU creative economy and cultural diversity as a whole, so politicians dare not make a move – and the anachronism of digital borders will persist.

by antman 11y ago

avar 11y ago

If you're right why do you think Netflix's CEO is saying the EEA isn't there yet due to the lack of a digital single market[1] and why is the European commission proposing a "digital single market" as part of its Europe 2020 plans[2]? 1. http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/netflix-ceo-europe-needs-strong-net-neutrality-rules-314368 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/netflix-ceo-eur... 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_2020 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_2020

joars 11y ago

I think geo-blocking is still legal. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/internet-services/rights-e-commerce/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/internet-serv... says that the provider needs to inform about "...whether any geographical restrictions apply to the use of the content and if private copies are allowed."

icebraining 11y ago

Read the Directive. It only prohibits Netflix from not providing service based on the nationality or place of residence of the recipient, if the service is available to the public at large in that country. It does not force you to provide a service to the whole EU. Essentially, if you live in a country and you then travel to another EU country where Netflix is available, they can't deny you service just because you don't live there.

antman 11y ago

Cannot edit my comment original but I found the EU audiovisual exemption in the original Services Directive (24)

antman 11y ago

Cannot edit my comment original but I found the EU audiovisual exemption in the original Services Directive http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32006L0123&from=EN http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELE... (24) Audiovisual services, whatever their mode of transmission, including within cinemas, should also be excluded from the scope of this Directive. Furthermore, this Directive should not apply to aids granted by Member States in the audiovisual sector which are covered by Community rules on competition. Disregard my top level comment, Netflix doesnt have to provide to all EU countries, its still vpn for the rest.

c3o 11y ago

"the EU is a unified market by law" Unfortunately, copyright is not unified in the EU. VOD companies need to clear the licenses of every single bit of copyrighted content 28 times to be able to legally offer something on the "unified market" online. The European Commission has announced they want to improve the "digital single market" and are reviewing copyright, but unfortunately the copyright industry is completely blocking any meaningful harmonisation. The publishing and film industries are literally arguing having 1 EU copyright would instantly kill the EU creative economy and cultural diversity as a whole, so politicians dare not make a move – and the anachronism of digital borders will persist.