At the hearing, held in Brussels on May 27, representatives of both collecting societies and the electronics industry backed proposals to harmonize the methodology for calculating levies.

The two groups have been fighting over whether the sale price of items used for copying, such as printers, DVD burners and computers, should include a levy.

Levies are applied on different items, and at different rates, in each EU member state. A number of recent cases have focused on which items should be subject to levies.

Speaking at the event, Irena Bednarich, from Hewlett-Packard, said that it was agreed that a "harmonization of the methodology of the tariff" is required.

"The forum must try to establish a list of questions by which a tariff can be set," she told Managing IP .

At the hearing it was decided that the Commission will help to mediate between industry associations and collecting societies to find a solution. A series of meetings of 15 professionals will be held later this year.

The European Commission announced in March this year that it would resume trying to find a solution to the problem of copyright levies, just over a year after it had suspended work on harmonization.

Speaking at a press conference on February 14 in Brussels, Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said a consultation will solve the discrepancies caused by the application of copyright levies.

After consultations were organized between February 14 and April 18, it was agreed that a public debate would be held on May 27.

"Collecting societies and the consumer electronic industry now need to find common ground and move forward ... I want today's hearing to consider all the different aspects of this complex issue ... I would like this hearing to be the start of a process. A process through which the main participants in this debate can sit down and calmly discuss a number of the issues that this public consultation has thrown up," said McCreevy at the start of the hearing.

Collecting societies and industry associations are not calling for a harmonization of tariffs across EU, which is unfeasible, but they want some of the criteria on which a reasonable levy can be calculated to be harmonized.

Both groups agreed that the problem needs to be solved. They have agreed to work together to gain a consensus on a few principles or guidelines to calculate the amount of levy that should be applied.

Based on these points, each member state can calculate the amount that should be levied.

The forum, which is expected to be held in September this year, will look at what copying acts the levy should apply to. It will also identify some general factors on which levies should be made, the effect of levies on the grey market, and the role they play in the fight against piracy.

Most attendees welcomed the movement in the position of the Commission compared to two years ago.

Speaking to Managing IP , Fabian Niemann, a partner from Bird & Bird in Germany, who was present at the hearing said: "The good thing is that the Commission has realized that this issue is of high importance and that it is necessary to work for a solution."

Almost 500 people attended the hearing, including lawyers, industry professionals, collecting societies and their representatives, in-house counsel, lobby associations and politicians.