Web giants face paying papers to use their stories
WEB giants such as Google and Facebook may have to pay newspapers for using their content, according to proposals voted on yesterday.
The European Parliament voted for the move, which will be welcomed by many in the media industry where there is concern over the closure of local papers as advertising shifts online.
Under the Copyright Directive, newspapers would gain copyright if the content of stories appearing in search engines and social media news feeds amounts to more than ‘individual words’ or ‘very short extracts’.
But the exact length of extracts has not been specified – as the EU Parliament and member states clashed over the issue. Headlines, for instance, are unlikely to be protected unless they are longer than usual in newspapers.
Individual member states will define what ‘a very short extract’ is when absorbing the directive into their own law. Experts say it hands more power to publishers to take action if they feel their rights have been breached. They also say it creates more incentive for social media giants to reach licensing agreements with publishers to display their content.
It also allows musicians to claim royalties from tech giants when their music is distributed online, and gives greater powers to have certain material removed.
The EU Parliament backed the directive by 348 votes to 274 following a debate which pitted Europe’s creative industry against tech companies, internet activists and consumer groups concerned about cost and that the new rules may block too much content. Last night a spokesman for the Intellectual Property Office, the department taking the lead on the proposals, said the UK Government backs the directive. It is understood the proposals will be implemented regardless of the uncertainty around Brexit.
The European Commission began reviewing the rules two years ago in a bid to protect an industry worth € 915billion a year. It also accounts for 11.6million jobs and 6.8 per cent of the EU economy.
The EU Commission’s digital chief, Andrus Ansip, welcomed yesterday’s outcome, saying the reforms would improve the position of writers, journalists, singers, musicians and actors.
He said: ‘Today’s vote ensures the right balance between the interests of all players while putting in place proportionate obligations on online platforms.’ Many well-known figures joined the debate, with Sir Paul McCartney saying reform was necessary so artists were fairly compensated. Tory MEP Sajjad Karim, who helped lead the directive through parliament, welcomed the result.
He said his ‘priority’ has been ensuring creatives can make a living, and added: ‘The emergence of new business models and platforms has led to an uneven playing field and change is essential.’
But Google said the reforms would lead to legal confusion and hurt European industry. A Google spokesman said: ‘The EU Copyright Directive is improved but will still lead to legal uncertainty and will hurt Europe’s creative and digital economies.’
The spokesman said that Google is looking ‘forward to working with policy makers, publishers, creators and rights holders’ as member states implement the rules.
Member states must now sign off on the legislation and could block it, but it is thought it will be given the green light.
‘Hands more power to the publishers’