• Internet platforms are liable for content that users upload
• Some uploaded material, such as memes or GIFs, now specifically excluded from directive
• Hyperlinks to news articles, accompanied by “individual words or very short extracts”, can be shared freely
• Journalists must get a share of any copyright-related revenue obtained by their news publisher
• Start-up platforms subject to lighter obligations

Following today’s vote of approval for the new Copyright rules for the internet the EU Parliament Press officer reports as follows,”Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to new copyright rules which also contain safeguards on freedom of expression. MEPs adopted the directive in plenary by 348 votes in favour, 274 against and 36 abstentions. This marks the end of the legislative process for the European Parliament that began in 2016. It will now be down to member states to approve Parliament’s decision in the coming weeks. If the member states accept the text adopted by the European Parliament, it will take effect after publication in the official journal and then member states will have 2 years to implement it.”

The directive aims to ensure that the longstanding rights and obligations of copyright law also apply to the internet. YouTube, Facebook and Google News are some of the internet household names that will be most directly affected by this legislation. The directive also strives to ensure that the internet remains a space for freedom of expression.

A press conference with the rapporteur Axel Voss and MEPs Helga Trupel and Sajjad Karim will be held at 15.00 and can be viewed” here.

• Tech giants to share revenue with artists and journalists – ability to negotiate better remuneration
• Locking in freedom of expression – more clarity on sharing “snippets” of news articles to avoid news aggregators abusing this
• Many online platforms will not be affected – such as Wikipedia and others excluded from the scope
• Stronger negotiating rights for authors and performers – enabling authors and performers to claim additional remuneration
• Helping cutting edge research and preserving heritage – The Directive also allows copyrighted material to be used free-of-charge to preserve cultural heritage. Out-of-commerce works can be used where no collective management organisation exists that can issue a license.
• How this directive changes the status quo – fairer remuneration for use of copyright works exploited digitally

Quote from the rapporteur, Axel Voss (EPP, DE) “This directive is an important step towards correcting a situation which has allowed a few companies to earn huge sums of money without properly remunerating the thousands of creatives and journalists whose work they depend on.

At the same time, the adopted text contains numerous provisions that will guarantee that the internet remains a space for free expression. These provisions were not in themselves necessary, because the directive will not be creating any new rights for rights holders. Yet we listened to the concerns raised and chose to doubly guarantee the freedom of expression. The ‘meme’, the ‘gif’, the ‘snippet’ are now protected more than ever before.

I am also glad that the text agreed today shelters start-ups in particular. Tomorrow’s leading companies are the start-ups of today and diversity depends on a deep pool of innovative, dynamic, young companies.

This is a directive which protects people’s living, safeguards democracy by defending a diverse media landscape, entrenches freedom of expression, and encourages start-ups and technological development. It helps make the internet ready for the future, a space which benefits everyone, not only a powerful few.”

Link to the entire article here.