Copyright Levies in UK: Private Copy Exception Entered into Force

As of October 1, 2014, British users are allowed to make copies of legally owned works for their individual private use. However, it is not allowed to share the copy within a familiar circle. This new private copying exception has been approved by the British Parliament in July 2014 as an amendment to the British Copyright Act which was under revision for years. It is assumed by the Legislator that this new right for private copying will not cause any major harm to the right holders (authors and artists of copyrighted works) by spreading the copies in a private sphere, which cannot be supervised by any authority. A compensation system with levies on CE-blank media or equipment and reprography devices, which is common practice in 22 out of the 28 European Member States, is therefore not foreseen by the British legislator. Thus, the decision of UK remains highly debatable, especially for the authors associations. Further discussions on this issue might be inevitable in the future.  

REACH Annex XIV: First decision granting an authorisation

The European Commission issued on 9 August 2014 its first decision to authorise a specific use of plasticiser Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) during the diffusion bonding and manufacture of aero engine fan blades. According to Decision 2014/C 260/10 the risk is adequately controlled in accordance with Article 60(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Furthermore, there are no suitable alternatives at present and search for technically feasible alternatives is ongoing under a 5 to 10 year research programme. The authorisation is valid until February 21, 2022. Holder of the authorisation is Rolls-Royce plc in the United Kingdom.

1cc-Präsentation auf der E-Scrap 2014

Ofira Varga, 1cc-Consultant, wird an der E-Scrap 2014, der größten Recycling-Konferenz für elektronische Geräte in Nordamerika, teilnehmen. Diese findet vom 21. – 23. Oktober 2014 in Orlando, Florida statt. Frau Varga wird in ihrer Präsentation einen Überblick über die aktuelle Gesetzgebung zum Thema E-Schrott in den Ländern Latein Amerikas geben, vertiefend wird sie auf die Situation in Kolumbien und Costa Rica eingehen. Datum: 22. Oktober 2014 Zeit: 13:30 – 15:00 Uhr Rednerin: Ofira Varga, 1cc Ort: Orlando, Florida/USA Weitere Informationen: http://www.e-scrapconference.com

REACH Annex XIV: Nine New Substances Added

Nine new substances were added to the Authorisation List (Annex XIV) of the REACH Regulation on August 19, 2014. These Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) had been prioritised by ECHA in January 2013 and are used, for instance, as solvents, anti-corrosion or curing agents. The sunset dates range from August 22, 2017 to January 22, 2019. If manufacturers want to use one of the newly added substances after the sunset date, they have to apply for an authorization 18 months before the respective sunset date. With these nine new entries, the Authorisation List currently contains a total of 31 Substances of Very High Concern. Link to the news substances as listed in the Annex of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 895/2014.

WEEE Germany – Stiftung EAR changed factors for calculating guarantee amounts

The German Stiftung EAR has checked the guarantee parameters stated in rule ear 02-003. As a consequence, the medium disposal costs and the presumed return rates were partly changed. The new values are valid for the calculation of guarantee amounts for months of placing on the market as of January 1, 2015. http://www.stiftung-ear.de/index_ger.html

UAE: Various Requirements for Lighting Products

In UAE, lighting products have to fulfil a lot of requirements regarding energy efficiency, hazardous chemicals, and electrical safety. On December 31, 2013 the cabinet of UAE released Decision No. 34/2013, amending the Technical Regulation 28-11-2012 “On the requirements for approval and registration of lighting products”. The requirements of the Technical Regulation became obligatory on July 1, 2014. Regarding energy efficiency, lighting products which are imported into UAE have to be labelled accordingly. Existing products on the market will be tolerated until the end of 2014. As of January 1, 2015, non-compliant products are banned from the market. Products in scope: • Incandescent lamps ≥ 16W (watts) • Linear fluorescent lamps • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) • Halogen lamps • Light emitting diode (LED) lamps • Luminaires and Control gears for general lighting purposes.

WEEE: Printer cartridges with electronic components in scope of German ElektroG

Toner and ink cartridges which include electronic components are considered to be in the scope of the German ElektoG (independent from the transposition of the WEEE Directive). This is the result of a discussion between representatives of German Umweltbundesamt (environmental protection agency), the German Stiftung ear (national WEEE register) and the industry association BITKOM on August 5, 2014. Producers or distributors who bring toner or ink cartridges on the market which need electric current or electromagnetic fields during their use must register the company and the cartridges at ear, submit the obligatory quantity reports and mark their devices with the crossed-out wheeled waste bin. This interpretation of the German ElektroG with respect to toner and ink cartridges with electronic components is valid immediately and can be subject to enforcement practice of local authorities. The “new” interpretation is in line with the concept of German Stiftung ear, while industry has argued to continue to consider toner and ink cartridges as supplies material which is not in the scope of German ElektroG. This interpretation was common understanding in the past. Competent authorities are expected to examine more closely compliance with the new interpretation beginning next year, according to BITKOM.

Additional Copyright Levies with regard to Streaming Services?

Streaming services for video and audio have come in the focus of EU authorities in terms of copyright levies. EU authorities want to generate additional revenue for streaming services. 1cc has recently examined in    detail what kind of claims relating to streaming and cloud services are being discussed. Although the new streaming services require an access device like PC, Tablet or Smartphone, it usually does no longer result in a private copy: Streaming enables listening to music and watching videos without buying the music clip or the video as a file (download) and/or as hardcopy on a CD, DVD, etc. But instead of adapting the existing levy systems or reducing the levies because less private copies will arise, thoughts of EU bodies and French socialist government, for instance, are moving in a completely different direction. Recent reports consider to apply taxation to further devices and to charge digital services in addition. This open question will be part of future negotiations with the rightholder organisations.

1cc Webinar: Neue Verpflichtungen für Online-Händler

Speziell an Online-Händler wendet sich das Webinar der 1cc am 22. Juli 2014:  Wir informieren Sie über Neuerungen des Verbraucherrechts sowie die Neufassung der Elektroaltgeräte-Richtlinie 2012/19/EU (WEEE Recast) und geben praktische Tipps für die Umsetzung. Termin: 22. Juli 2014 um 15.00 Uhr

Referentin: Katrin Beisswenger, 1cc

Anmeldung unter: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8197346628218407426. Die Teilnahme am Webinar ist kostenfrei. Bitte melden Sie sich bis spätestens 15. Juli 2014 an, da die Teilnehmerzahl auf 20 Personen begrenzt ist.

1cc Webinar: WEEE 2 – Umsetzungsstatus in der EU

Im Rahmen der Bitkom-Akademie bietet die 1cc ein Webinar zum Thema „WEEE 2 – Umsetzungsstatus in der EU“ an. Die Teilnehmer erhalten einen Überblick über den aktuellen Stand der Umsetzung der WEEE-Recast Richtlinie 2012/19/EU und die nationalen Besonderheiten. Termin: 15.07.2014, 11 bis 12 Uhr Referenten: Katrin Beisswenger und Sandra Harris, 1cc GmbH Anmeldung über die Bitkom-Akademie: www.bitkom-akademie.de/seminare/datenschutz-compliance/weee-2-%E2%80%93-umsetzungsstatus-der-eu Die Teilnahme am Webinar ist kostenfrei. Bitte melden Sie sich rechtzeitig an, da die Teilnehmerzahl auf 10 Personen begrenzt ist.