Europe moves ahead with copyright law

Controversial new copyright laws have been approved by members of the European Parliament, with changes made since July when the first version of the copyright directive was voted down. But critics say it remains problematic, reports the BBC. “Many musicians and creators claim the reforms are necessary to fairly compensate artists. But opponents fear that the plans could destroy user-generated content, memes and parodies.” Leaders of the EU's member states still need to sign off on the rule changes before the individual countries have to draft local laws to put them into effect. The vote in Strasbourg was 438 in favour of the measures, 226 against and 39 abstentions. The most controversial parts of the directive are Article 13 and Article 11. “Article 13 puts the onus on web giants to take measures to ensure that agreements with rights holders for the use of their work are working. Critics say that would require all internet platforms to filter content put online by users, which many believe would be an excessive restriction on free speech. Article 11 is also controversial because it forces online platforms to pay news organisations for the use of their content.” MEPs settled for a version of the directive that compromised on some of the methods news organisations will be able to use to charge web companies for links to content. The final version clarifies that this will not include the sharing of hyperlinks to content such as news stories. It also watered down a proposal for upload filters to automatically delete content that violates copyright. In n a joint statement, Andrus Ansip, digital single market vice-president, and Mariya Gabriel, commissioner for digital economy and society, the intention is to have the directive approved by the end of 2018. “Our aim for this reform is to bring tangible benefits for EU citizens, researchers, educators, writers, artists, press and cultural heritage institutions and to open up the potential for more creativity and content by clarifying the rules and making them fit for the digital world. At the same time, we aim to safeguard free speech and ensure that online platforms – including 7,000 European online platforms – can develop new and innovative offers and business models. We are fully committed to working with the co-legislators in order to achieve a balanced and positive outcome enabling a true modernisation of the copyright legislation that Europe needs.” Read more

• Monday, 24 September 2018