Parliamentary groups on Thursday supported stronger protection of creative industries on the Internet, as well as stronger and better protection of authors, performers and publishers.

In a debate on a law on copyrights and related rights, MPs stressed that the new digital age brought new challenges and that it was necessary to protect copyright and related rights in the digital environment but also to satisfy the principle of justice.

Miroslav Skoro (DP party) said that equitable distribution of funds should reach those who have talent — actors, journalists, musicians.

Musicians, actors, writers and journalists with no rights in digital environment

Skoro called for collective protection of rights, noting that top Croatian musician, actors, writers, and journalists do not have any rights in the digital environment.

Vilim Matula of the Green-Left Bloc said there was an impression that the law sided with discographers who received money from providers, while performers were left without fees.

“Let’s introduce a just percentage for an inalienable right because those people are always at a disadvantage to negotiate,” Matula said.

Sabina Glasnovac (Social Democratic Party) also advocated a mechanism of inalienable compensation through collective exercise of rights, warning that the law makes a significant share of artists invisible.

Call for new law on copyright

Anka Mrak-Taritas (Glas party) recalled that the current copyright law was from 2003, when there was no Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, YouTube or smartphones, underscoring the need to adopt a new law.

“Today we can immerse ourselves in all kinds of copyrighted works 24 hours a day via smartphones,” said Mrak-Taritas, adding that the fact that there are no boundaries or obstacles does not mean that there should be no rules or protection of rights.