NME Calls On EU Member States To Transpose Copyright Rules

News Media Europe has called on EU Member States to transpose the Copyright Directive into national legislation without delay in order to help create a fairer online ecosystem for news media content.  

The European Commission has started infringement proceedings against 23 EU Member States for failure to transpose the Copyright Directive before the 7 June deadline.

Member States have two months to respond to the letters of formal notice, explaining why they are late transposing the Directive, which includes a neighbouring right to help publishers in their negotiations with the platforms.

NME said that, from European press publishers’ perspective, they hoped the infringement proceedings will contribute to speeding up the national implementation of the press publisher right.

Wout van Wijk, executive director at News Media Europe, said: “The time has come to stop free ride over media content online and put an end to online platforms’ delay tactics, limiting payment to press publishers. The EU has provided a set of rules that provide fairer online ecosystem for press content. We call Member States to implement them fast and get it right.”

The transposition must be done promptly to make the neighbouring right a practical instrument that will increase European press publishers’ bargaining power towards tech giants and generate revenues, NME added.

NME said it called on Member States to take inspiration from the recent decision of the French Competition Authority, recognizing the Copyright Directive as a stand-alone basis for remuneration, distinct from tech products (for example Google News Showcase).

Going forward, European press publishers willing to enter in negotiations should be able to engage on fair grounds and enforce their right free from pressure, NME said.