Now already in its fifteenth edition, the FOCUS is commissioned from the European Audiovisual Observatory by the film market organizer at the Cannes Film Festival, the March du Film. The FOCUS 2012 presents the latest trends on all the major film markets around the world regarding film production and distribution as well as admissions. Published since 1998 by the March du film (Cannes, France), FOCUS is realised by the Department Markets & Financing Information of the European Audiovisual Observatory.

The fierce protest sparked in many European countries in February 2012 by the signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a perfect illustration of the balancing act that legislators have to perform when enshrining the protection of intellectual property rights in law. The interests of both users and rightholders require a compromise that is felt to be "fair."

Although the question of shaping the details of copyrights is the focus of intense debate, there is a relatively broad consensus that piracy, that is to say the systematic violation of these rights, must be combated. This IRIS plus looks at the issue of combating internet piracy, which has become an explosive subject, especially owing to the constant improvements in the efficiency of electronic data exchange and the consequent rise in copyright violations.

Must-carry rules date back to the time when space on analogue broadcasting networks was limited and when supply grew due to the introduction of private broadcasters. The major reason for the adoption of these must-carry rules was to guarantee access to public service broadcasting and ensure a diverse choice of programs.

Times have changed since and these changes have their impact on the discussion of must-carry rules. In this IRIS plus, insight is provided into today's choices made by various European countries as well as the USA with respect to regulating must-carry obligations and how the general European framework is applicable to national regulations.