A Newly Released Free ICT Europe Position Paper Delivers Nine Recommendations for MEPs to Protect EU Industrial Sovereignty via Technology Sector.
BRUSSELS, May 20 – Free ICT Europe, a not-for-profit foundation actively promoting the ICT Secondary Market within Europe, has released its policy recommendations for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to curb anti-competitive behaviour within the European Union (EU) technology sector.
Free ICT Europe’s policy recommendations will reform intellectual property laws which protect technology giants and hurt smaller European businesses within a worldwide ICT market that saw €3 trillion in expenditures in 2017, according to a study by Xerfi Global. The divide is most visible in Europe’s software sector, where Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) hold 95 percent of the market share and third parties own just 5 percent, a Deloitte study revealed.
“Free ICT Europe has been at the forefront of legislative change for the ICT Secondary Market, including playing an active role in promoting the right to repair as a foundation of the EU’s Circular Economy,” Tomás O’Leary, President of Free ICT Europe, said. “Our newly published position paper is an important step in developing a stronger software sector within the EU economy and reforming laws that are wrongfully being used to stifle competition.”
The position paper delivers nine policy recommendations designed to curtail monopolistic practices spawned from outdated intellectual property and copyright laws. If acted upon, these legislative changes will enable European businesses to better compete with global corporations and promote greater EU industrial sovereignty through a stronger and more inclusive technology industry.
Policy Recommendations on the Competitive Imbalance in the EU Technology Sector has been written by and contains legal arguments from Dan Shefet of Cabinet Shefet. Shefet is a French lawyer recognised internationally for his expertise in intellectual property law, IT law, and competition law.
Free ICT Europe will be presenting its policy recommendations and answering questions about its position paper
at its press launch on May 27th at 10:00 CET at the Press Club Brussels Europe
The session will feature
- Tomás O’Leary, President of Free ICT Europe
- Jan Hoogstrate, Executive Director of Free ICT Europe
- Dan Shefet
- and will be moderated by Sergio Fernandes, Co-Founder of Intely.
Register here to attend: https://origina.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvdeyqrjsoGdFLWD2Ee8qgdJs_WIOF7LcR
About Free ICT Europe
Free ICT Europe Foundation (FIE) is a not-for-profit foundation actively promoting the ICT Secondary Market within Europe. FIE’s objective is to secure the right of ownership and the freedom for consumers and businesses alike to freely choose their providers to trade, maintain and repair their products. FIE achieves this by: addressing the restrictive practices undertaken by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), ensuring serviceability is included as a key component of the EU Digital Agenda, promoting common standards for reuse and resale of equipment and software, and achieving contract transparency to protect end users against