Copyright and Films in the Digital Single Market. Licensing, distribution and cultural diversity in Europe

In May 2015, the European Commission has identified the completion of the Digital Single Market as one of its ten political priorities. According to the Commission, a Digital Single Market (DSM) is one in which the free movement of persons, services and capital is ensured. It is also one in which “individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and exercise online activities […], irrespective of their nationality or place of residence.” The proposed PhD project, with legal, cultural and marketing dimensions, will explore film production and distribution in the DSM. In particular, it will investigate the legal framework for a sustainable and truly pan-European film industry.

Most digital film distribution platforms use territorial licensing arrangements with rights-holders. These arrangements are based on established business models, and do not necessarily preserve cultural diversity and ideas of national production in the new digital environment. Cultural heritage institutions in the GLAM-sector—galleries, libraries, archives, and museums—face the same problems in having audiovisual content flow across borders. As public institutions, they have the mandate to provide access to their holdings, and funding restrictions often dictate that they have to create revenue models. In an attempt to comply with these restraints, they see themselves compelled to use territorial licensing models as well. Geo-blocking is often used as a tool to filter international audiences and to prevent unauthorised cross-border digital media consumption. For audiences, territorial licensing then means that access to content is controlled based on their geographical location, and not on, for instance, their language or cultural diversity.

The research carried out under this Studentship will address these issues from a legal perspective, taking into account the relevant cultural and marketing dimensions. The PhD student engaged in this research is expected to gain in-depth understanding of legal aspects of the film industry, both from a theoretical and practical perspective. He or she will be able to challenge and rethink central assumptions of this industry, including established models of territorial licensing, in light of an open internet and the DSM, and to examine whether there are opportunities for shifting those models towards an audience-based (instead of country-based) model of licensing. The methodology may include both theoretical and empirical approaches, such as contextual analysis and interviews, in light of providing qualitative and quantitative insights into the dynamics of the film industry in the DSM.

How to apply: Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.

Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years.
Fully-funded studentship candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic potential with preferably a 1st class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent Grade Point Average. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.