The Copyright Directive, is a Directive of the European Union (EU) Enacted to Implement the WIPO Copyright Treaty and to harmonize aspects of Copyright Law across Europe, such as Copyright Exceptions. The Directive was Enacted under the Internal Market Provisions of the Treaty of Rome.
The Copyright Directive is a Legislation widely seen as a way to Protect Intellectual Property Rights on the Internet. Supporters of the Law say Content Creators are being Deprived of Revenues Lost to the Sharing of Copyrighted Works on Online Platforms.
However, due to its Open Interpretation and Vague Wording, the EU Copyright Directive can be applied to Cases beyond its Intended Purpose. Two Provisions, Article 11 and Article 13, have opposers concerned about the Impact it will have on the Online Freedom of Europeans.
EU Article 11 - referred to as “Link Tax”, would allow Publishers to Impose a Tax for Linking to their Content. This will have Disastrous Consequences because Small Content Creators would Resort to Stop using Links, causing a Halt to Conversations on Online Forums and Affecting the way People Communication with one another on the Internet. The Flow of Information Online that we all take for Granted could Cease to Exist. Just imagine a world without your favorite Blogs, Social Media Platforms, Forums, and Communities.
EU Article 13 - is even Worse, according to Experts. It Requires that Content Platforms Collaborate with Rightsholders to keep Users from Sharing Copyrighted Content. Unfortunately, the only way to do that is by Scanning All the Data being Circulated on Sites like Facebook and Youtube. This would Create a Huge Burden for Platforms, as they would be Responsible for any Copyright Violations and Not the Submitters.
More Importantly, it could lead to Widespread Censorship which is why the Inventor of the World Wide Web Tim Berners-Lee and Founder of Wikipedia Jimmy Wales strongly Opposed the Directive.
Versions of the Wikipedia in German, Danish, Czech and Slovak went Offline All Day yesterday to Protest the EU Copyright Directive. Critics say that’s an Undue Burden, and more than 5 Million Europeans have Signed a Petition against the New Law.
Activists across Europe Plan “Save the Internet” Demonstrations.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment