EU Parliament OKs copyright rules that could be ‘catastrophic’ for Net .

EU Parliament OKs copyright rules that could be ‘catastrophic’ for Net .

News:

1. The EU parliament has approved new copyright rules which include stringent new automated checks for content before being posted on online platforms.

Important Facts:

2.  EU parliament bought controversial rules, known as Articles 11 and 13.
3.  Article 11 introduces a “link tax” which means that companies like Google and Facebook may have to pay news organisations to use their headlines on their sites.
4.  Articles 13  provides for filtering the public posts on technology platforms and check for copyright infringement.
5. The new directives exempts the smallest tech companies.
6. Wikipedia and open source software platforms would not be affected.
7.   Positive implications of new rules:

• It will  better protect the rights of the authors and creators.
• Automated filters could identify copyrighted material.
• Media companies and publishers say the changes would help them get paid for their work.
•  New rules would force internet giants like Google and Facebook to share more revenues with European media, publishers and other content creators.

8. 8. Negative implications of new rules:

• The legitimate content will be removed from websites accidently by automated filters.
• Perfectly legal content like parodies and memes based on existing songs or movies  can also be banned.
• Some musicians have argued that new rules could actually hurt their industry,  by stifling the ability to collaborate with young artists.
• Rules are too hard to put into effect and might lead to greater control over internet.
•  It would undermine free expression online and access to information.
• The cost and reliability of automated filters is also doubtful.