A Green Paper on "Copyright and Related Rights in the
Information Society" recommends that the European Union "remain
cautious" about overhauling existing copyright law to accommodate
electronic transmission of copyrighted works. The paper's author
warns that by moving too hastily, the EU could easily "get it
wrong," thereby dampening companies' enthusiasm for investing in
the new online services and putting Europe at a disadvantage in
relation to the U.S. and Japan. One commissioner summed up the
dilemma: "Without a critical mass of services to use these
networks, the significant infrastructure investment required for
these information highways will not be forthcoming. But many of
the new services and products will be viable only if an adequate
level of protection is granted throughout the European Union."
(BNA Daily Report for Executives 7/21/95 A9 x Edupage)