With breathtaking contempt for copyright law the European Parliament's Culture Committee deliberately named the new Euro-Parliament Film Prize after an existing film organisation. "The Euro Parliament Culture Committee was informed, several times that there is an existing film organisation called Lux" pointed out Tom Wise MEP. "However copyright issues and common courtesy was ignored. I have informed the UK Lux Film organisation that their copyright is under attack by the European Parliament".

As the issue was put to a vote Tom Wise MEP of the Independence & Democracy Group suggested naming the prize the 'Wallys' to honour EU Communications Commissioner Margot Wallstrom. The joke was lost in translation but 'Wally ' was rejected on the grounds that a personal name was inappropriate. One Socialist MEP Hilda Prets thought 'TESSA' a better suggestion.

"Apparently no one has heard of Tessa Jowell in Europe" commented Tom Wise. He also helpfully pointed out that TESSA stands for Tax Exempt Special Savings Account in the UK. "I find the Idea of a socialist trying to steal the name of a financial product is faintly absurd" he admits. However Mrs Prets MEP continued to demand her choice and insisted it stood for 'Ten European Stars (for the) Seventh Art'. Suitably long winded for the EU".

"I think it a pity that 'Wally' was not considered', said Tom Wise MEP, "It is appropriate for an EU prize and I am certain no one would begrudge the EU the copyright".

By: Gawain Towler

Email: gawain.towler@europarl.europa.eu