Adoption of the Orphan Works Directive

On Thursday 4th October, the Council adopted the orphan works directive, after a compromise reached with the European Parliament.

Following the trilogue agreement (Commission, Council, Parliament) last June, the Parliament had approved the directive by a very large majority at its September plenary session.

The Council's approval marks the final step in the legislative procedure.  The Directive will formally enter into force after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union that should take place in the coming weeks.

Member States will have two years to transpose it into national law.

Click here for the pdf version.