New EUIPO Study Paves the Way for Easier Access to Copyright Information in Europe

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has published a new study examining copyright-related databases and metadata standards across the European Union, taking an important step towards improving access to copyright information and creating a more connected copyright ecosystem.

The study, Mapping of EU Databases and Metadata Standards Providing Information on Copyright-Protected Works, reveals that information on works, authors, and rights holders is currently spread across numerous disconnected databases. This fragmentation can lead to duplicate records, legal uncertainty, and higher administrative costs for creators, rights holders, and users.

The report highlights the importance of copyright metadata—often described as the “passport” of a creative work—which contains essential information about authorship, ownership, and rights status. However, different creative sectors, including music, publishing, and audiovisual industries, currently use distinct systems and standards, limiting interoperability and efficient rights management.

To address these challenges, the study identifies pathways for improving access to copyright metadata and supports the development of CopyrightView, a new initiative aimed at providing more transparent and reliable copyright information across the EU. The findings will also inform future work by the CopyrightView Expert Group and contribute to the ongoing activities of the EUIPO Copyright Knowledge Centre.