The Government has invited views on the role a 'digital rights agency' should play in protecting and promoting the legal use of copyright content online, and how industry, consumer groups and government can work together to create an environment where investment in creativity is rewarded.

Murdoch to charge for online content. Says Jeff Jarvis: Charging for content brings marketing and customer-service costs. Online, it reduces audience and the advertising they justify. Putting content behind a wall cuts it off from search and links; they cut...

EU lawmakers have passed rules on consumer rights in Europe, including a provision that would clamp down on excessive payment-related charges

Consumers are poised to get a set of pan-European rights when buying online in the EU, after ministers backed draft rules setting out information to be given to shoppers

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Pressure is growing on David Cameron to explain why Andy Coulson was spared the government's top security checks, as it emerged his successor is being given a higher clearance than he had while at Downing Street.

Online activists across Europe are protesting against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which officially aims to protect intellectual rights but which critics say violates privacy. An online petition against the international treaty attracted more than a million signatures, EurActiv's network in Central Europe reports. More »

One year ago, on 19 December the Audiovisual Media Services Directive came into force (IP/07/1809). It provides a modern set of rules for Europe's audiovisual industry that covers all audiovisual media services – traditional as well as online and on-demand audiovisual content.

As cultural content migrates online on a massive scale, legal battles are multiplying to prevent piracy, protect copyright and make money out of this growing business.

Europeans are not paying for online content and are unwilling to do so in the future, according to a survey published by the European Commission. Meanwhile, business models to sell music over the Internet are shifting towards pre-paid unlimited music access.