EU split over copyright overhaul

Divisions between EU countries could delay or derail plans to overhaul copyright law, an ambition that has set up a battle pitting media firms against internet giants like Facebook and Google. The European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission had planned to meet on Monday to agree on a draft law, but scrapped the meeting at the last minute.

“We take note that the Council needs more time to finalise its position,” Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a press conference, referring to the body that represents member states. The Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, proposed reforms in September 2016 designed to modernise copyright for the digital age.

But it has sparked a battle between media and creators seeking payment for online content against lobbyists defending the business model of the Silicon Valley giants backed by internet freedom activists. Several EU countries -- including Germany, the Netherlands and Italy -- on Friday blocked a council compromise text following a long debate among the bloc’s 28 ambassadors.

The stumbling block was over a provision that calls for YouTube and other platforms to better remunerate content creators and force them to remove any pirated content. Germany wanted small businesses and start-ups to be exempt from the need to pre-filter content while France did not, said Axel Voss, the deputy who is steering the legislation through parliament. “Countries that were not in any way satisfied with the copyright reform took Germany’s side. It’s of course very unfortunate,” Voss said.