Geo-blocking and EU Competition Law in the Digital Era

This Chapter will try to address the common features of geographical restrictions, namely, their territoriality, and ask whether the first evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation, due in 2020, may contribute to address its negative effects. In particular, the first evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation should necessarily take into account the extension of its application to copyright protected content, while also considering the possible extension to audio-visual services. Copyright protected content, in particular, should no longer have a national territorial extension and should ensure no more than an “appropriate remuneration” to the right holder.