Textio

[euractiv] The European Commission and EU member states agreed yesterday (13 October) on an amended text concerning the rights of Internet holders, which could pave the way for a final deal on the telecoms package.

A new proposal on the table of experts in the European Council scraps the assertion that judicial rulings must be compulsory before the authorities can intervene against serial illegal downloaders. But it takes on board the European Parliament’s concerns (see ‘Background’) and makes a number of concessions regarding “the right to effective judicial protection” for offenders.

A conciliation committee could meet in Strasbourg on 20 October, during the plenary session of the Parliament. If MEPs agree on the new text, the telecoms package could be adopted by the end of year or the beginning of 2010.

EU nears breakthrough on telecoms package