The IT industry association Bitkom has sharply criticized the federal government’s compromise proposal released on Thursday to reform film funding. According to Bitkom chief executive Bernhard Rohleder, “the agreement presents no viable balance of interests”. He argued that the draft disproportionately favors producers, largely ignoring the needs of video‑service providers.
Bitkom is especially concerned about the so‑called opening clause. Rohleder noted that production requirements could be relaxed for video services if they reinvest more in new films and series. However, this concession is contingent on additional negotiations with producers’ associations over rights matters. In effect, certain sectors would gain a veto‑like influence, creating a “systematic misincentive” that could slow investment.
The association called on the Bundestag to refine the process further and to give greater weight to the consumer perspective. “Germany needs film funding that enables investment rather than complicates it” Rohleder said.
