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from the unfairly-taxing-a-single-Zelda-character dept.
Julia Reda, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany, writes about a EU study which finds that even publishers oppose the proposed "link tax" which is currently up for consideration by legislators. Interestingly, the report also finds that many journalists are afraid to cover the issue. Several publications declined to comment giving various reasons, including differences of view between the online editions and their parent publications. In other words, the subject is being silenced.
The report, a bit misleadingly entitled "Strengthening the Position of Press Publishers and Authors and Performers in the Copyright Directive" [warning for PDF], was commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI committee. Specifically it reviews Article 11 and Articles 14-16 of the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. Julia Reda also notes that many of the MEPs are not in a position to find out about the report prior the vote. That puts them in a situation of making a less informed decision than is desirable.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Saturday October 14 2017, @11:19AM (1 child)
This is why we can't have nice things.
Seriously though, fuck em. They can sue us in the EU all they like but we're a US company (with all the speech/journalism protections that implies) and our servers are all in the US.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by canopic jug on Saturday October 14 2017, @01:50PM
If they are able to sneak this one through then it is likely that the cartels in the US will start whining about needing to "harmonize" with EU regulations. That's how things have worked in the past through the decades. They collude to ratchet downwards like that.
Alternately, if it becomes a copyright issue, as it is heading towards, then they could decide to go after SN with the helicopters and armed assault teams and demand extradition, doing like they did with Kim Dotcom. Though there are probably not enough assets to sieze to make that lucrative.
Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.