EU committee approves internet filtering copyright directive

A European Union committee has approved a controversial copyright directive that critics say could interfere with the sharing of online content. At issue are two articles under the directive. The first proposes that internet platforms like Facebook Inc. or Alphabet Inc.’s Google pay news companies to link to their content, called a “link tax.” The second includes copyright protections that would see the implementation of systems that would detect and block copyrighted material before it appears online, according to the directive. Detractors including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and OpenMedia say that this will create an online content filter and undo safe harbour laws, which provides liability protection for platforms that host third-party content. For example, the United States has a similar protection for “intermediaries” under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which was used as a defence by Google in a recent de-indexing case. Audio, video, still images and source code, could be caught up in these filters if they are implemented, according to the EFF’s website. “Article 13 takes an unprecedented step towards the transformation of the Internet from an open platform for sharing and innovation, into a tool for the automated surveillance and control of its users,” read a letter signed by Tim Berners-Lee, who is widely seen as a father of the web, and over 70 other internet thought leaders. According to internet advocacy groups, this change will be felt across the entire online ecosystem. “This is a major blow — not just for Europe, but for everyone around the world who wants to keep the Internet open and free, and protect free expression online,” said OpenMedia executive director Laura Tribe in a statement published to OpenMedia’s website on Wednesday. To become law, the directive must next be passed by the European Parliament and the European Council, which is scheduled to happen in the coming weeks.

EU committee approves internet filtering copyright directive

Brief | June 20, 2018

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EU committee approves internet filtering copyright directive

Brief | June 20, 2018

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