A panel at MIA 2026 highlighted that independent producers in Italy and Spain are struggling to retain intellectual property rights despite increased investment from global streaming platforms. The discussion emphasized that contractual arrangements often limit producers' ability to monetize content, prompting calls for stronger regulatory frameworks to link investment obligations with IP retention.
The shift toward a work-for-hire model threatens the long-term solvency of the European production sector by preventing companies from building library value. While global platforms provide immediate liquidity, the lack of backend participation limits the ability of firms like Rainbow or Cattleya to reinvest in original development without external subsidies. This tension is forcing a regulatory pivot across the EU, as seen in France, to decouple production funding from total rights acquisition. Watch for whether Italy’s AGCOM introduces stricter definitions of 'independence' that require specific IP retention thresholds to qualify for national tax credits.
Independent producers in Europe are facing a crisis as global streaming platforms increasingly demand total intellectual property rights in exchange for funding. While investment reached €2 billion in Spain in 2024, the shift to a work-for-hire model prevents production companies from building long-term library value and reinvesting in original development.
In Spain, 66.7% of projects commissioned by major streaming platforms require a total transfer of all intellectual property rights to the platform.
The shift threatens the long-term solvency of the production sector because it prevents companies from building library value and limits their ability to reinvest in original development without relying on external subsidies.
France and the Czech Republic are implementing regulatory models that link mandatory investment obligations to the return of intellectual property rights to the original producers.
While Italian producers formally own 68.1% of TV series IP, contractual holdbacks and exclusive licensing agreements often negate their actual commercial control over those assets.
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