The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against Ireland, and a number of other member states, over their lack of progress in implementing two directives.

The commission has asked a total of 23 countries for information on how a directive aimed at modernising copyright rules is being enacted into their national laws.

This directive lays down rules that aim to further harmonise EU law applicable to copyright and related rights in the framework of the internal market, taking into account digital and cross-border uses of protected content.

The commission has also asked 21 countries to provide information on the progress of transposing a directive on online television and radio programmes into their national laws. This directive facilitates the distribution of radio and television programmes across the EU.

Two months to respond

The deadline for implementing both directives passed on 7 June, and the commission said the member states it listed had “not communicated national transposition measures or have done it only partially”.

As a result, the commission has decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice. The countries concerned now have two months to respond to the letters and take the necessary measures.

If it is not satisfied with a country’s response, the commission can then issue a reasoned opinion — a formal request to comply with EU law.