Prof. Anke Moerland appointed to Dutch Copyright Committee
Prof. Anke Moerland has been appointed as a member of the Copyright Committee this month. For a period of four years, she will advise the committee alongside other independent experts from academia, professional practice and the judiciary on issues relating to copyright and related rights.
The Copyright Committee is an official advisory body to the Ministry of Justice and Security. It advises the Dutch House of Representatives and Senate on national legislation concerning copyright and related rights (rights that protect the performance, recording or broadcasting of original works), as well as on the potential impact of European legislation on the Netherlands.
“I am very pleased with this opportunity,” says Moerland. “It is not only rewarding to have a direct influence on legislation, but also to discuss relevant issues with experts from within and outside academia. It is also a recognition of my expertise in this area in the Netherlands.”
A voice for creative professionals
The Copyright Committee plays an important role for creative professionals and performing artists, among others. The committee’s advice can, for example, influence how well creators are protected against the misuse of their work and how strong their position is when negotiating with large publishers or producers.
“One of the committee’s recent opinions concerned the question of whether national legislation can require performing artists, such as musicians, to transfer their rights to their employer without their consent. This followed a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union,” Moerland explains. “I think my expertise in AI and copyright could be relevant to future issues. My aim is to help ensure that the law continues to encourage human creativity, while also enabling the development of AI based on original works.”
Professorial appointment
Last year, Moerland was appointed Professor of Intellectual Property, Frontier Technologies and International Trade. Her research includes exploring ways to protect human creativity and innovation against the potential negative effects of technology-driven markets.