EU Copyright Reform: Deutsche Welle

The European Parliament approved a new copyright law, 348 t0 274 with 36 abstentions, that protects original content. Social media and other platforms that reprint content are expected to ensure their content does not violate copyright rules, and behemoth Google News would be expected to pay publishers for snippets shown in search results. Some critics worry about internet freedom, but exposure is a goal for many publishers and creators of original news and analysis, gladly sharing their resources on Google News and other indexing sites. Companies would be expected to form licensing agreements with creators. Such requirements would not apply to nonprofit and education sites as well as those with “annual turnover below €10 million.” The law aims to modernize copyright law for the digital era, bringing order to internet reprinting and distribution while curtailing misinformation and ensuring compensation for original creators. Supporters deny the law imposes censorship. EU member governments are expected to approve the law. The United States has a more expansive fair use doctrine allowing reprint of portions and snippets. – YaleGlobal