EU Copyright Directive Draws Criticisms from Internet Luminaries, Lawmakers

Several lawmakers and key figures in the tech industry voiced their criticisms this week against Europe’s copyright reforms which may compel companies such as Google and Microsoft to pay publishers and take on liability for internet content.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said that mandatory upload filters could become the basis for further invasive monitoring of all internet content, while new types of exclusive rights may discourage people from sharing content online. Wales, along with World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee, net neutrality expert Tim Wu and internet pioneer Vint Cerf had already written a letter to Parliament president Antonio Tajani regarding the issue.

Meanwhile, Green lawmaker at the European Parliament Julia Reda said that while the proposal’s intentions are good, it would only benefit large media companies and may end up hurting those that it seeks to protect.

Source: Reuters