The Gallo report on the enforcement of intellectual property rights - 2010-07-06

"Labour Members of the European Parliament support the UK and European creative sector, which is hugely important to us, both culturally and economically" said Arlene McCarthy MEP, Labour's legal affairs spokesperson in the European Parliament, in response to the postponement of the vote on the Gallo report.

"In Britain, and across the EU, we have a creative edge that can help us succeed in the global economy. In the UK alone the creative sector contributes around seven per cent of GDP and employs two million people. This success is threatened by infringements of IPR, not least online infringements, which could cost some 1.2 million European jobs by 2015.

"The Gallo report adopted by the Legal Affairs Committee addresses the critical task of tackling all infringements of intellectual property rights, in particular the counterfeiting of goods which threaten consumer health. In addressing online infringements the report strikes the right balance between protecting individual citizens' rights, while ensuring that infringements of the rights of creative sector workers can be properly addressed.

"Labour MEPs are committed to standing up for the millions of workers whose livelihoods depend on our creative industries and call on all Members of the European Parliament to support the report of the Legal Affairs Committee."

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