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Evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation

Single market

The Geo-blocking Regulation was adopted in 2018 to ensure better access conditions to goods and services for individuals and businesses. In particular, it addresses the specific problem of geo-blocking and unjustified discrimination of customers purely based on their nationality, place of residence or place of establishment. This initiative will evaluate whether the Regulation has met its objectives.

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Public consultation

ID: 14416

Lobbying Activity

60 responses

EuroCommerce calls for EU action against territorial supply constraints

EuroCommerce, 11 Mar 2025

The organization calls for new legislation to stop manufacturers from restricting where retailers can buy their inventory. They want to prohibit suppliers from automatically redirecting buyers to local subsidiaries or limiting price comparisons across borders.
Retailers would benefit from lower procurement costs by sourcing goods from any EU country.
Large product manufacturers would lose control over regional price differences and distribution networks.

Telefónica rejects extending EU geo-blocking rules to audiovisual services

Telefonica, S.A., 10 Mar 2025

Telefónica urges the EU to keep audiovisual services out of the geo-blocking regulation. They argue that territorial exclusivity is essential for funding new content and protecting European cultural diversity.
This would protect their ability to maximize profits through exclusive regional licensing.
Consumers in lower-income countries could face higher prices or reduced access.

Austrian Economic Chamber warns against mandatory cross-border delivery rules

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, 4 Mar 2025

The group opposes any obligation for retailers to deliver goods across the entire EU. Merchants should retain the freedom to determine their own delivery areas. Current geoblocking exemptions for audiovisual services must remain in place.
Avoiding mandatory delivery requirements prevents small businesses from facing overwhelming legal compliance costs.
Consumers and regional media providers would suffer from higher prices and reduced content diversity.

EBU warns geo-blocking rules would harm audiovisual sector

EBU-UER (European Broadcasting Union), 11 Mar 2025

The EBU argues that audiovisual services must remain excluded from the Geo-blocking Regulation. They maintain that including these services would make content licensing unaffordable for national broadcasters.
Maintaining the exemption helps broadcasters avoid the high costs of pan-European rights.
Viewers would suffer from diminished content diversity and significantly higher subscription prices.

Recording industry urges EU to exclude music from geo-blocking

IFPI Representing recording industry worldwide, 11 Mar 2025

The industry opposes extending geo-blocking rules to music streaming services. This allows platforms to adapt offers to local economic conditions. Uniform pricing would likely depress music consumption in less affluent markets.
Industry avoids revenue losses and protects the business models of independent labels.
Poorer consumers lose access to affordable music and might turn to piracy.

Consultation response

Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe, 10 Mar 2025

ACT considers that adding AV content to the 2018 Geoblocking regulation will have a direct and negative impact on the financing of and the distribution of opportunities as well as on the recoupment and incentives driving investments. The Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand…

MPA EMEA urges EU to maintain geo-blocking film exemption

Motion Picture Association EMEA, 11 Mar 2025

The MPA requests that audiovisual media services remain excluded from the Geo-blocking Regulation. They argue territorial licensing is the key foundation for distributing culturally diverse works.
This would protect the economic value of their rights and investments.
Audiences and local cinemas would face higher prices and reduced diversity.

European Brands Association opposes extending geo-blocking rules to wholesale

AIM - European Brands Association, 11 Mar 2025

AIM requests that the regulation remain limited to consumer transactions and exclude business-to-business distribution. They argue that competition law already addresses supply constraints and contractual freedom must be preserved.
Excluding wholesale transactions preserves the brands' ability to negotiate prices and avoids higher compliance costs.
Consumers in high-priced nations lose potential savings if retailers cannot source cheaper products across borders.

Consultation response

EUROCINEMA, Association de producteurs de cinéma et de télévision, 3 Mar 2025

Territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, is a fundamental mechanism for financing, producing, distributing, and marketing films, TV shows, and other audiovisual programs across various platforms, including cinemas, broadcasting, and online streaming. This exclusivity allows rights…

European Publishers Oppose Geo-blocking Rules for E-books

Federation of European Publishers, 11 Mar 2025

The federation argues a ban on geo-blocking would be pointless and detrimental. They insist that e-books are already accessible for purchase to all EU citizens.
Publishers avoid higher operating and compliance costs while mitigating risks from foreign laws.
Small operators may withdraw from online sales, strengthening the position of dominant platforms.

European Publishers Council defends geo-blocking to protect media financing

European Publishers Council, 11 Mar 2025

The EPC argues geo-blocking is justified to respect territorial rights and various national rules. They claim mandatory cross-border sales for books would be unsustainable and request maintaining the audiovisual exemption.
Keeping these exemptions protects their existing financing structures and allows for country-specific distribution.
Audiences would suffer from reduced content variety and higher prices for professional sports.

Consultation response

Independent Retail Europe (formerly UGAL - Union of Groups of Independent Retailers of Europe), 11 Mar 2025

Independent Retail Europe welcomes the possibility to reply to the Commissions call for evidence on the Geoblocking Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/302), which is a fundamental piece of legislation for both consumers and retailers. Overall, we consider that the Geoblocking Regulation strikes the…

Ecommerce Europe warns against mandatory cross-border delivery requirements

Ecommerce Europe, 11 Mar 2025

The organization strongly opposes any legal obligation for online merchants to deliver goods across all EU countries. They argue that the current regulation is a balanced instrument that does not require reopening. Instead, they urge the Commission to focus on harmonizing rules regarding packaging, labeling, and taxation.
This approach protects retailers from incurring prohibitive logistical costs and unnecessary technical infrastructure investments.
Consumers in specific markets lose access to broader product catalogues and international delivery services.

IMPALA Urges EU to Keep Music Outside Geo-blocking Rules

IMPALA Association Internationale AISBL, 6 Mar 2025

IMPALA calls on the EU to continue excluding digital music services from the regulation. They argue that including music would disregard unique national market conditions and reduce cultural diversity.
This allows independent labels to maintain specific marketing and pricing for different countries.
Music fans face higher prices as platforms harmonize costs across the single market.

Polish Confederation Lewiatan opposes expanding geo-blocking rules to audiovisual content

Polish Confederation Lewiatan, 11 Mar 2025

The group demands effective enforcement of the current regulation instead of broadening its scope. They insist on excluding audiovisual services to protect the exclusive territorial licensing rule.
Preserving territorial exclusivity protects the industry's established financing and distribution models.
European consumers lose access to streaming services and films from other member states.

Sports Rights Owners demand continued audiovisual exclusion from geo-blocking rules

Sports Rights Owners' Coalition, 11 Mar 2025

SROC demands that audiovisual services remain excluded from the Geo-blocking Regulation. They argue territorial licensing is vital for providing culturally specific content and maintaining sustainable business models.
This allows rights owners to maintain profitable territorial licensing and avoid costly infrastructure mandates.
Expatriates lose access to home-country content because providers would stop offering these niche services.

Consultation response

Union Internationale des Cinémas, 10 Mar 2025

UNIC represents cinema associations and operators from 39 countries about 44,000 screens. AV services are excluded from the scope of the Regulation as the end of Geoblocking would drastically alter key principles on which the film sector relies to cater to different audiences, to offer a diversity…

Austrian Labour Chamber seeks local discounts and broadcasting access

Bundesarbeitskammer Österreich, 4 Mar 2025

Public broadcasting services should be accessible across borders for all consumers. Member states should also be allowed to offer local discounts based on tax contributions.
This secures affordable access to local services for residents and domestic workers.
Non-residents would be excluded from cheaper regional pricing and pay more for services.

EIBF urges EU to maintain geo-blocking exemption for e-books

European & International Booksellers Federation, 11 Mar 2025

EIBF argues the exemption from the geo-blocking regulation is beneficial. Lifting it would make the costs to comply too high for retailers.
This allows small bookshops to enter the market at surmountable costs.
Lifting the exemption would drive smaller players out of the e-book market.

Consultation response

Federation of European Screen Directors - Fédération Européenne des Réalisateurs de l'Audiovisuel, 10 Mar 2025

THE IMPORTANCE OF TERRITORIAL EXCLUSIVITY IN THE EUROPEAN FILM AND AUDIOVISUAL SECTOR: Geo-blocking technology is essential for maintaining territorial exclusivity in the licensing of cinematographic and audiovisual works. Key Reports on Territorial Exclusivity: European Audiovisual Observatory…

Consultation response

International Federation of Film Distributors' and Publishers' Associations, 28 Feb 2025

On behalf of Storytelling Media AS, a film distribution company in Norway that on average releases 9 films a year, it is essential that the film and audiovisual sector continue to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. The ability and freedom to deploy geo-blocking which enables…

Consultation response

International Federation of Film Distributors' and Publishers' Associations, 27 Feb 2025

On behalf of The International Federation of Film Distributors' and Publishers' Associations (FIAD), a trade association representing over 200 film distribution companies in 15 European countries through its membership of national associations of film distributors, it is essential that the film and…

Creativity Works! Urges EU to Maintain Geo-blocking Exclusions

Creativity Works!, 7 Mar 2025

The group demands that creative content remains excluded from the regulation to protect territorial licensing. They argue this freedom is essential for funding new productions and maintaining economic sustainability.
Maintaining exclusions preserves their ability to maximize the value of distribution rights.
Consumers in lower-income regions may face higher prices or lose access to local content.

Consultation response

NOS, 11 Mar 2025

NOS SGPS, S.A. (NOS), through its subsidiaries, provides electronic communications networks and services in Portugal and is also active in several areas of the audiovisual sectors value chain. NOSs activities include supporting the production of national films, marketing and distributing…

Wikimedia Europe urges ending geo-blocking for publicly funded content

Wikimedia Europe, 10 Mar 2025

Wikimedia Europe calls for extending the regulation to include audiovisual services and copyrighted works. They argue that content receiving public funding should be made as freely available as possible.
Removing barriers allows the organization to better fulfill its mission of promoting free knowledge.
Dominant media companies lose their market advantage over smaller independent producers.

Consultation response

French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l'Edition), 7 Mar 2025

Le règlement géo-blocage prévoit que les détaillants vendant des biens et des services ne pourront pas opérer de discrimination en termes de conditions daccès (ce qui couvre notamment le prix) entre les consommateurs en fonction du pays dorigine de ces derniers. Il exclut les contenus basés sur le…

Consultation response

COMMUNIA Association for the Public Domain, 10 Mar 2025

COMMUNIA is an international association incorporated under Belgian law that advocates for policies that expand the Public Domain and increase access to and reuse of culture and knowledge. It acts as a network of like-minded activists, researchers and practitioners based in Europe and the United…

Consultation response

European Audiovisual Production Association, 10 Mar 2025

Territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, plays an indispensable role in securing funding for content development, creation and production, as well as in providing for the optimal marketing, distribution and exploitation of the finished film, TV and other audiovisual content across all…

Consultation response

GROUPE CANAL+, 11 Mar 2025

CANAL+ believes that if the European Commission were to revise the 2018 Geoblocking Regulation to include audiovisual content in its scope, it would have severe consequences for the financing, distribution, and diversity of European productions. Territorial exclusivity is a cornerstone of content…

Consultation response

Grup Mediapro SLU, 7 Mar 2025

Es esencial que el sector audiovisual siga estando exento del Reglamento sobre bloqueo geográfico. Dejar de tener libertad comercial para celebrar acuerdos de distribución territorial significara que los derechos de algunos tipos de contenidos tendrían que comprarse para todo el territorio europeo.…

Consultation response

European Casino Association, 10 Mar 2025

The European Casino Association (ECA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the European Commissions evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2018/302 on Geo-Blocking. Our extensive feedback can be found in attachment.

Consultation response

Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films Headquarters ASBL, 10 Mar 2025

The Geoblocking Regulation prohibits unjustified geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on nationality, place of residence or place of establishment. At the time of adoption, the EU co-legislators specifically excluded film/AV services from the scope of the Regulation and the reasons…

Consultation response

Digital Music Europe, 11 Mar 2025

Digital Music Europe (DME) represents European companies that have revolutionised how the world discovers, enjoys, and experiences music. DMEs music streaming services are available across the EU and offer the same audio catalogue everywhere. For this reason, music services have been excluded from…

Consultation response

Allwyn International AG, 11 Mar 2025

Allwyn, a leading multi-national lottery operator (https://www.allwyn.com/), welcomes the opportunity to share its views on the implementation of the geo-blocking Regulation (EU) 2018/302. Please find our submission in the attachment.

Consultation response

Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, 11 Mar 2025

AAPA represents companies involved in the provision of protected audiovisual services, including rights owners and broadcasters, security technology for such services, and the manufacturing of products which facilitate the delivery of such services. AAPAs mission is to lead the fight against…

Consultation response

The European Video on Demand Coalition, 10 Mar 2025

Please find attached the European Video on Demand Coalition's feedback.

Consultation response

International Video Federation, 10 Mar 2025

The Geoblocking Regulation prohibits unjustified geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on nationality, place of residence or place of establishment. At the time of adoption, the EU co-legislators specifically excluded film/AV services from the scope of the Regulation and the reasons…

Consultation response

VAUNET - Verband Privater Medien e. V., 10 Mar 2025

Feedback on: Geo-Blocking Regulation - Evaluation - Please see the attachement for full feedback & concrete reasoning. A. Preliminary remarks VAUNET is the umbrella organisation of private audio and audiovisual media in Germany. The diverse business areas of the approximately 160 members include…

Consultation response

Sanoma Corporation, 11 Mar 2025

The commercial TV and radio broadcasting industry within the member states is almost exclusively local. The advertising market is local and the content acquisition market is local, and defined by acquiring content rights for a broadcasting certain territory, i.e. country. Geo blocking is ion…

Consultation response

EUROPEAN PRODUCERS CLUB, 10 Mar 2025

EPC urges the European Commission to maintain the current regulatory status quo and uphold the Geo-blocking exception for the audiovisual sector. It is not a plea to restrict access to European content, but a vital necessity to ensure the continued creation, financing, and distribution of European…

Consultation response

Federación de Distribuidores Cinematográficos (FEDICINE), 10 Mar 2025

On behalf of the Spanish Federation of Film Distributors (Fedicine), the national trade federation in Spain representing more than 80% of the Spanish distribution market, it is essential that the film and audiovisual sector continue to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. The ability and…

Consultation response

Stowarzyszenie Filmowców Polskich, 11 Mar 2025

ZAPA is the Polish Collective Management Organization of Audiovisual Authors and Producers. It is a member of AGICOA, EUROCOPYA, CISAC, SAA and also Kreatywna Polska, which is a Polish Association promoting and defending various creative industries interests. The European audiovisual sector is…

Adigital urges EU to keep cross-border delivery voluntary

Asociación Española de Economia Digital, 11 Mar 2025

The organization recommends that the regulation should not oblige e-retailers to offer delivery across borders. They argue that companies must preserve their freedom to decide in what markets they remain active. Additionally, retailers should be able to take into account geographical differences in their pricing strategy.
This flexibility allows retailers to avoid high logistical costs and maintain their competitiveness.
Consumers lose out on equal access to the full range of European products.

Consultation response

Anica - Associazione Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche Audiovisive Digitali, 3 Mar 2025

Territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, plays an indispensable role in securing funding for content development, creation and production, as well as providing for the the optimal marketing, distribution and exploitation of the finished film, TV and other audiovisual content across all…

Consultation response

Association de l'Industrie Audiovisuelle Indépendante, 11 Mar 2025

Please find attached the contribution (in french).

Consultation response

Film and Music Austria, 11 Mar 2025

Film and Music Austria (FAMA) vertritt über 7.000 Unternehmen in Österreich mit rund 20.000 Arbeitnehmende. Die Ausnahme für audiovisuelle Dienste in der Geoblocking-VO ist essenziell für die Branche und muss beibehalten werden: Ein Entfall derselben hätte äußerst schädliche Folgen für den gesamten…

Consultation response

Animation in Europe, 10 Mar 2025

Territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, plays an indispensable role in securing funding for content development, creation and production, as well as in providing for the optimal marketing, distribution and exploitation of the finished film, TV and other audiovisual content across all…

Consultation response

Związek Pracodawców Branży Internetowej Interactive Advertising Bureau Polska, 10 Mar 2025

IAB Poland which represents, inter alia, companies from the internet, advertising and audiovisual sector, welcomes the opportunity to participate in the call for evidence on the evaluation of the 2018 Geo-blocking regulation. Please find below the key points of our position as to the possible…

Consultation response

European Consumer Centre Belgium, 5 Mar 2025

ECC-Net's detailed response to the European Commissions Call for Evidence on the Evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation on the basis of issues identified through case handling. Submitted by ECCNet policy group.

Consultation response

Cine-Regio AISBL (European Associations of Regional film & AV funds), 11 Mar 2025

CineRegio AISBL is the European network of 52 regional film & av funds (incl. autonomous regions and communities). CineRegio continues to advocate for the continued exclusion of audiovisual services from Regulation (EU) 2018/302 (the Geo-blocking Regulation) which was adopted in February 2018 to…

Consultation response

Independent Film & Television Alliance, 11 Mar 2025

The Independent Film & Television Alliance [IFTA] is a non-profit trade association representing the legal and economic interests of film and TV companies from 22 countries. Based in Los Angeles, with a diverse membership of independent producers, distributors, sales agents and financiers, IFTA is…

Consultation response

Europa Distribution aisbl, 11 Mar 2025

Europa Distribution is the international association of independent film publishers and distributors, operating in Europe and beyond. All of the independent distributors we represent are micro or small enterprises (not large corporations as assumed by some) that create demand and engage audiences…

Consultation response

Asociace komerčních televizí, z.s., 11 Mar 2025

On behalf of AKTV (the Association of Commercial Television) which represents the most important commercial broadcasters in the Czech Republic, it is essential that the audiovisual sector continue to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. A ban on the use of geo-blocking technology to…

Consultation response

Verwertungsgesellschaft für audiovisuelle Medien, 11 Mar 2025

Im Namen ihrer Bezugsberechtigten ist es für die VAM Verwertungsgesellschaft audiovisuelle Medien GmbH, die 376 Filmproduzent:innen und Filmproduktionsunternehmen vertritt, von wesentlicher Bedeutung, dass der Film- und audiovisuelle Sektor weiterhin von der Geoblocking-Verordnung ausgenommen…

Consultation response

IHK Reutlingen, 10 Mar 2025

Submission to Call for Evidence Geo-blocking Regulation: Evaluation It is essential for the film and audiovisual sector to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Reutlingen serves as the spokesperson for media policy/media economy on behalf of the…

Consultation response

GEDIPE- Audiovisual Producers Collective Rights Management, 10 Mar 2025

GEDIPE is the Portuguese Collective Management for Cinema and Audiovisual Producers. It is a member of AGICOA and EUROCOPYA, and also of FEVIP, which is a Portuguese Association whose purpose is to promote and defend the Cinema Industry namely by participating in the fight against Digital Content…

Consultation response

LEONINE Holding GmbH, 10 Mar 2025

LEONINE Studios, one of Germany's leading independent media companies covering the entire content value chain, urges to maintain the existing exemption for the audiovisual sector in the geo-blocking regulation. Geo-blocking is essential for the production, acquisition, financing and exploitation of…

Consultation response

Verein für Anti-Piraterie der Film- und Videobranche, 10 Mar 2025

On behalf of VAP, the national content protection association in Austria representing film & media companies and sectoral organisations, it is essential that the film and audiovisual sector continue to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. The ability and freedom to deploy geo-blocking…

Consultation response

, 3 Mar 2025

Territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, is a cornerstone of the financing, production, distribution, and marketing of films, TV series, and other audiovisual programs across various platforms, including cinemas, broadcasting, and online streaming. This system enables rights holders to…

Consultation response

NVPI, 3 Mar 2025

On behalf of NVPI, the national trade association in the Netherlands, representing 32 film distribution companies, it is essential that the film and audiovisual sector continue to remain exempt from the Geo-blocking Regulation. The ability and freedom to deploy geo-blocking which enables…