Division 1.2.2 Distribution of European works off-lineX1

This is understood to mean the distribution of European works on media intended for private use.

Automatic support: a system of automatic support for editors and distributors of European cinematographic and audiovisual works, excluding games, on media intended for private use (e.g. videocassettes and DVD) according to market performance over a reference period of at least one year. The evaluation of that performance may take account of the specific features of different national markets through appropriate weightings. The support granted may be used by distributors only for investment in the following:

1. (a)

   the costs of editing and distributing new non-domestic European works in digital form; or

2. (b)

   the costs of promoting new non-domestic European works in non-digital format.

This system is designed to:

1. (a)

   encourage the use of new technologies in the production of European works intended for private use (production of a digital master for use by all European distributors);

2. (b)

   encourage distributors in particular to invest in the promotion and adequate distribution of non-domestic European films and audiovisual works;

3. (c)

   support the linguistic diversity of European productions (dubbing, subtitling and multilingual production).