Edition: International | Greek
MENU

Home » Europe

EU says copyright laws make situation different from Australia

European Union countries are not facing the same situation as Australia, where Facebook blocked all media content from its platform, because of new copyright rules that protect publishers in Europe

By: EBR - Posted: Friday, February 19, 2021

“The copyright reform – that needs to be transposed into national law by 7 June 2021 – already starts to bring concrete results for the European media sector, as proved by the recent announcement of the agreement found between Google and publishers in France.”
“The copyright reform – that needs to be transposed into national law by 7 June 2021 – already starts to bring concrete results for the European media sector, as proved by the recent announcement of the agreement found between Google and publishers in France.”

European Union countries are not facing the same situation as Australia, where Facebook blocked all media content from its platform, because of new copyright rules that protect publishers in Europe, the bloc’s executive said on Thursday (18 February).

A European Commission spokesman declined to comment directly on the move by media giant Facebook that escalated a dispute with the Australian government over paying for content.

“In the EU, the situation is different,” the spokesman said in a written response to questions.

“The copyright reform – that needs to be transposed into national law by 7 June 2021 – already starts to bring concrete results for the European media sector, as proved by the recent announcement of the agreement found between Google and publishers in France.”

The dispute between Australia and Facebook centres on a planned Australian law, which would require Facebook and Alphabet Inc’s Google to reach commercial deals to pay news outlets whose links drive traffic to their platforms, or agree a price through arbitration.

Although Australia is a small market, the law is being closely watched around the world by regulators, and could be a test case for a bigger global push to force internet giants to share more of their revenue with content providers.

Under the EU’s tougher copyright rules, online platforms will have to sign licensing agreements with musicians, performers, authors, news publishers and journalists to use their work.

The European Commission’s position is that “press and quality journalism are not for free” so the Copyright Directive creates the condition for fair bargaining between press editors and online platforms.

*first published in: www.euractiv.com

READ ALSO

EU Actually

Danish social democratic prime minister Mette Frederiksen sometimes tougher on migration than Giorgia Meloni

N. Peter KramerBy: N. Peter Kramer

With her country holding the rotating EU presidency the second half of 2025, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen is advocating a stronger EU with more defence and less migration

View 04/2021 2021 Digital edition

Magazine

Current Issue

04/2021 2021

View past issues
Subscribe
Advertise
Digital edition

Europe

Greek MEPs demand tariff-free trade in medicines as new deadline looms

Greek MEPs demand tariff-free trade in medicines as new deadline looms

Greek MEPs Papandreou and Tsiodras warn that US pharma tariffs threaten health and supply chains, urging the Commission to react accordingly.

Business

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

Most people familiar with EU affairs know the single market is a myth. Hailed as the bedrock of the European Union, it was never completed and is now crumbling.

MARKET INDICES

Powered by Investing.com
All contents © Copyright EMG Strategic Consulting Ltd. 1997-2025. All Rights Reserved   |   Home Page  |   Disclaimer  |   Website by Theratron