The European Council has given the final approval to the reform of its copyright rules for online content. The move follows approval by the European Parliament in March. The controversial reform increases the liability for internet platforms accepting content uploaded by users. It also provides for increased remuneration for publishers from online aggregators. The EU Council said that member states will have 24 months to transpose the rules into national law, following the signature and publication of the directive in the Official Journal of the EU.
The EU noted that the directive introduces mandatory exceptions to copyright for the purposes of text and data mining, online teaching activities and the preservation and online dissemination of cultural heritage. The adjustments also improve licensing practices, the EU said, and introduce new revenue models for publishers.
In total, 20 of the 28 member states voted in the Council to approve the text. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden voted against the law, while Belgium and Slovenia abstained from the vote. Five of the dissenting countries had also opposed the directive in the previous vote in March, saying it did not provide enough legal clarity to protect individual rights.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association also reiterated its opposition, notably to the provisions creating neighbouring rights for publishers and increased liability for uploaded content. "We fear it will harm online innovation and restrict online freedoms in Europe," the group said in a statement. "We urge Member States to thoroughly assess and try to minimise the consequences of the text when implementing it."
