Activities of Stelios KOULOGLOU related to 2023/2019(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation of the 2018 Geo-blocking Regulation in the digital single market
Amendments (11)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights the importance of the elimination of all geoblocking barriers in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market within the European Union and guarantee equal access of goods and services to all European citizens;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Observes that all the existing geoblocking bariers consitute virtual borders that unjustly limit the internal market and prevent it from reaching its full potential as well as hinder consumer activity;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of the Geo-blocking Regulation in building a more robust, coherent and accessible internal market for all citizens and businesses in the EU, regardless of their place of residence or establishment; stresses that further steps need to be taken to achieve the full potential of the Regulation, including by strengthening the legal framework supporting the cross- border exchange of goods and services as well as considering to extend the scope in order to include the audio-visual media sector as explicitly mentioned in the review clause of article 9;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the Commission carried out its first review prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that changes to both consumer and trading behaviour triggered by the pandemic were therefore not reflected in the 2020 Commission report; recalls the changes in consumer habits and the rising preference for online services that were additionally strengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic and underlines the importance of raising consumer awareness especially taking into account the changes in consumer behaviour observed during the pandemic; underlines, therefore, the need to draw further conclusions based on the new data in this area, as 12 % of EU businesses10[1] started or increased efforts to sell goods or services online due to the pandemic; [1] Eurostat, ‘Online sales efforts on the rise due to the pandemic’, 11 April 2022; __________________ 10 Eurostat, ‘Online sales efforts on the rise due to the pandemic’, 11 April 2022.
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned that a full-scale evaluation will face challenges due to the delay in application and a lack of data; notes, however,Notes that the progress in the digitalisation of trade in goods and services should by its nature ease cross-border access and promote competition among different EU businesses to the benefit of consumers;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that one third of all complaints received by responding competent authorities were not actually covered by the Regulation, including, among other things, copyright-protected content and insurance services; urges the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of the Geo-blocking Regulation on business-to-business transactions, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that one third of all complaints received by responding competent authorities were not actually covered by the Regulation, including, among other things, copyright-protected content and insurance services; emphasizes the importance of extending the scope of the Geoblocking Regulation to cover copyright protected content, especially related to audio-visual media services, which is currently restricted on a territory-to-territory basis;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that certain price differences can exist for cross-border customers, which can be justified based on different value added tax (VAT) rates and higher costs for cross-border delivery and running business operations; believes, however, that consumers should not be blocked from accessing competitive offers made available across the single market by the same or other providers; urges the Commission and the Member States to work together on creating harmonised rules when it comes to cross-border access and delivery of services in order to create one single market irrespective of location;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recommends a broader and more detailed analysis to address concerns regarding the selective distribution and exclusive rights agreements that undermine the right of passive sale and competition in online and offline products and services distribution channels; while maintaining a focus on the impact of these agreements on SMEs;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the progress made in terms of the cross-catalogue availability of music, e-book, video game and software products and services, both in subscription and transaction-based models; regrets the limited improvements regarding the cross- catalogue availability of video content and live sports events, which contribute to consumers’ perception that the audiovisual services sector is applying the highest leveland further encourages the elimination/ restriction of geo-blocking in those sectors;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. In this context, urges the Commission to propose, at the latest by September 2024, the comprehensive revision of Geoblocking Regulation, consisting, in particular, of the inclusion of audiovisual services in the scope of this Regulation, and the deletion from Article 4(1)(b) of the exclusion of electronically supplied services, the main feature of which is the provision of access to or use of copyright-protected works or other protected subject matter;