Survey shares insights on European digital music use and cross-border copyrights

EC 2015 cross-border study

Subscription access to entertainment is becoming more prevalent, but different international markets face different challenges in executing that vision. For instance, people in the EU bloc may have difficulties accessing their digital services when traveling across country borders. A study by the European Commission found that cross-border access to entertainment subscriptions is important for nearly one in three Europeans. Younger respondents valued that ability more highly, with 58% of the 15- to 24-year old age group and 46% of the 25- to 39-year-old age group saying cross-border opportunities are important. The EC has programs in motion to update copyright rules across the bloc to better accommodate these shifts to digital entertainment. New guidance from the Digital Single Market Strategy is expected in the coming months.

The survey also had some data points specifically about music listening in the EU. The results showed that 60% of respondents accessed or downloaded music at least once in the past year. Only 29% said that they paid for their musical access, however. This may be where those cross-border regulations come into play, because only 49% of respondents said they could always find the music they wanted online. Among people who tried to access online content not meant for their nation, 23% said they were interested in finding music.

Anna Washenko