(18 January 2019) – EU ambassadors today convene to try and reach a provisional deal on the controversial copyright directive ahead of final “trialogue” talks next Monday (21 January). Meanwhile, lobbyists in Brussels ramp up their opposition against the bill.
.The fine details of Article 11 and Article 13, the two most contentious items in the Copyright Directive, are still to be agreed as EU ambassadors prepare for a potentially decisive meeting today.
Article 13 obliges internet platforms such as YouTube to create filters that monitor user uploads to ensure copyright isn’t breached. Under the current draft, they will become liable for the copyright infringement of users.
Article 11, meanwhile, obliges internet platforms that post snippets of information – such as Google News – to contract a license from the original publisher. EURACTIV understands that Parliament and EU member states in the Council of Ministers are still “quite far apart” on Article 11.
Ambassadors from the 28-member bloc will attempt to agree the type of content that will be protected under this so-called ‘Snippet Tax’ or ‘Neighbouring Right’ clause. (EurActiv)