News: Publishers win against Medienspiegel
Media Monitoring Switzerland AG (MMS), which distributes newspaper articles by e-mail and fax according to individual customer requests, infringes copyright. This is the verdict of the Bernese High Court.
Media Monitoring Switzerland AG (MMS), which distributes newspaper articles by e-mail and fax according to individual customer requests, violates copyright law. This is the ruling of the Bern High Court.News Publishers win against Medienspiegel
MMS has been offering a fully electronic press review since June 1998. The Bern-based company uses a scanner to read the editorial content of around 100 Swiss newspapers into a database every day and sends it to its customers. Seven major publishing houses in Switzerland (Aargauer Zeitung, Berner Zeitung, Edipresse, Le Temps, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Ringier and Tamedia) filed a lawsuit against this. They claimed that the scanning and commercial exploitation of their products violated applicable law. The High Court essentially found in their favor. The right of use for the disputed articles clearly lies with the publishers, said the presiding senior judge Evelyne Lüthy-Colomb. It is not yet known whether MMS will appeal the decision to the Federal Court.
Press subsidies not targeted enoughThe Finance Committee of the National Council (FK) wants the 2002 budget to include a revision of the legal basis for reducing the cost of newspapers and magazines.
transport taxes. It was not in the spirit of the inventor that the high-circulation member magazines Coop-Zeitung and Brückenbauer should pick up a third of the tax reduction, explained FK President Gerold Bührer (FDP). The goal of promoting smaller newspapers and serving households in rural areas is partially achieved, Bührer said. However, the current regulation is not acceptable, he said.
Graubünden promotes cable supplyThe Graubünden government is supporting the NetCom company in the construction of a broadband communications network with 5.5 million Swiss francs. Over the next six years, 32 Graubünden communities are to gain access to the cable network. While over 95 percent of the population in Switzerland receives television programs via cable network, the corresponding percentage in Graubünden is currently only 40 percent. An investment volume totaling 75 million Swiss francs is expected to eliminate this coverage deficit. Most of the financing is to come from private investors. In addition to the CHF 5.5 million from the Graubünden government, NetCom, a subsidiary of Tele Rätia AG, which is controlled by the canton, can expect a further CHF 15 million from the federal government in the form of investment aid loans.
ZH private radio stations: More of the sameIn a study of the development of the radio market in the greater Zurich area between 1998 and 2000, the media consulting firm Publicom found that in the programming area, all established commercial private providers - Radio 24, Radio Z, Radio Zürisee and Radio Top - have adjusted their music formats. There has been a reduction in polarizing styles in favor of hit mainstream pop, Publicom reported. The use of structural elements such as jingles and trailers has gained in importance, it said. Only Radio Tropic did not follow the trend toward alignment, but it was unable to establish itself in either the listener or advertising market. The Publicom study was financed by the Federal Office of Communications. Radio Zürisee, Radio Top and Radio DRS also participated with substantial contributions.
According to the Federal Offices of Communications (Bakom) and Culture (BAK), Switzerland is facing the threat of a digital divide in society. To prevent it, the offices are launching the "Knights of Communication" competition. This title is awarded to the best projects that enable or facilitate access to the new information and communication technologies for a broader population. Participation is open to people under 30 years of age. The prize is under the patronage of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Moritz Leuenberger, and is endowed with CHF 50,000. This year, the prize is awarded to projects that were launched between September 2000 and the end of August 2001. The deadline for entries is September 14. The website www.com knight.ch provides further information on the project.
MMS has been offering a fully electronic press review since June 1998. The Bern-based company uses a scanner to read the editorial content of around 100 Swiss newspapers into a database every day and sends it to its customers. Seven major publishing houses in Switzerland (Aargauer Zeitung, Berner Zeitung, Edipresse, Le Temps, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Ringier and Tamedia) filed a lawsuit against this. They claimed that the scanning and commercial exploitation of their products violated applicable law. The High Court essentially found in their favor. The right of use for the disputed articles clearly lies with the publishers, said the presiding senior judge Evelyne Lüthy-Colomb. It is not yet known whether MMS will appeal the decision to the Federal Court.
Press subsidies not targeted enoughThe Finance Committee of the National Council (FK) wants the 2002 budget to include a revision of the legal basis for reducing the cost of newspapers and magazines.
transport taxes. It was not in the spirit of the inventor that the high-circulation member magazines Coop-Zeitung and Brückenbauer should pick up a third of the tax reduction, explained FK President Gerold Bührer (FDP). The goal of promoting smaller newspapers and serving households in rural areas is partially achieved, Bührer said. However, the current regulation is not acceptable, he said.
Graubünden promotes cable supplyThe Graubünden government is supporting the NetCom company in the construction of a broadband communications network with 5.5 million Swiss francs. Over the next six years, 32 Graubünden communities are to gain access to the cable network. While over 95 percent of the population in Switzerland receives television programs via cable network, the corresponding percentage in Graubünden is currently only 40 percent. An investment volume totaling 75 million Swiss francs is expected to eliminate this coverage deficit. Most of the financing is to come from private investors. In addition to the CHF 5.5 million from the Graubünden government, NetCom, a subsidiary of Tele Rätia AG, which is controlled by the canton, can expect a further CHF 15 million from the federal government in the form of investment aid loans.
ZH private radio stations: More of the sameIn a study of the development of the radio market in the greater Zurich area between 1998 and 2000, the media consulting firm Publicom found that in the programming area, all established commercial private providers - Radio 24, Radio Z, Radio Zürisee and Radio Top - have adjusted their music formats. There has been a reduction in polarizing styles in favor of hit mainstream pop, Publicom reported. The use of structural elements such as jingles and trailers has gained in importance, it said. Only Radio Tropic did not follow the trend toward alignment, but it was unable to establish itself in either the listener or advertising market. The Publicom study was financed by the Federal Office of Communications. Radio Zürisee, Radio Top and Radio DRS also participated with substantial contributions.
According to the Federal Offices of Communications (Bakom) and Culture (BAK), Switzerland is facing the threat of a digital divide in society. To prevent it, the offices are launching the "Knights of Communication" competition. This title is awarded to the best projects that enable or facilitate access to the new information and communication technologies for a broader population. Participation is open to people under 30 years of age. The prize is under the patronage of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Moritz Leuenberger, and is endowed with CHF 50,000. This year, the prize is awarded to projects that were launched between September 2000 and the end of August 2001. The deadline for entries is September 14. The website www.com knight.ch provides further information on the project.
