Blow to Google, Facebook as EU approves tougher copyright rules
Under new copyright rules aimed at ensuring fair compensation for the European Union`s $1 trillion creative industries, which employ 11.7 million people in the bloc, Google will have to pay publishers for news snippets and Facebook filter out protected content. EU governments on Monday backed the move launched by the European Commission two years ago to protect Europe`s creative industries, according to a Reuters report.
Under the new rules, Google and other online platforms will have to sign licensing agreements with musicians, performers, authors, news publishers and journalists to use their work. Image source: Reuters
Under the new regime Google-owned YouTube, Facebook`s Instagram and other sharing platforms will have to install filters to prevent users from uploading copyrighted material. Image source: Reuters
Google said the new rules would hurt Europe`s creative and digital economies, while critics said it would hit cash-strapped smaller companies rather than the tech giants. Image source: Reuters
The European Parliament gave a green light last month to a proposal that has pitted Europe`s creative industry against tech companies, internet activists and consumer groups. Image source: Reuters
Wikipedia blacked out several European sites in protest last month, while the change was opposed by Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. But 19 countries, including France and Germany, endorsed the revamp, while Belgium, Estonia and Slovenia abstained. Image source: Reuters
The European Magazine Media Association, the European Newspaper Publishers’ Association, the European Publishers Council, News Media Europe and independent music labels lobbying group Impala welcomed the move. EU countries have two years to transpose the copyright directive into national laws. Image source: Reuters