EUIPO has published a study on mapping copyright-related databases and metadata standards across the EU.

The study finds that data on works and authors are scattered across unconnected systems and that this fragmentation leads to duplication of records, creating legal uncertainty and increasing transaction costs for creators and right holders.

According to the study, each creative sector such as film and television, music and publishing manage works, rights and distribution models according to their own operational needs. This leads to fragmented approaches and limited interoperability between systems.

According to the Executive Summary: “This fragmentation generates legal uncertainty, inefficiencies in licensing and remuneration, and increased transaction costs for creators, users, intermediaries and public institutions. The importance of metadata and interoperability for the discoverability and circulation of European cultural content in digital environments has also been highlighted in recent EU research.”

The study lays the groundwork for the development of the CopyrightView initiative, which aims to enhance transparency and facilitate access to reliable copyright information.

The findings of the study will inform the work of the CopyrightView Expert Group and future activities in consultation with stakeholders.

The study was conducted under the umbrella of the EUIPO Copyright Knowledge Centre, which was set up in November 2025.

You can read the full study on EUIPO’s website here and the Executive Summary here.