Twitter X.com Hit with Lawsuit from French News Agency: Copyright Battle Erupts
Social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), now owned by Elon Musk, is facing a significant legal challenge. Agence France-Presse (AFP), a French news agency, has filed a lawsuit against the platform, accusing X of violating copyright laws concerning the reproduction and sharing of its content. This lawsuit comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media platforms and their relationship with news publishers.
Why is AFP Suing X?
Agence France-Presse (AFP) accuses X of not compensating them for the use of their content. They accuse the site, formerly known as Twitter, of violating “neighbouri\xadng rights”, which, under a European directive adopted into French law, are due when social media platforms display news content. This legal action underscores a growing tension between news organizations and social media companies regarding fair compensation for content used on these platforms.
Major French Newspapers Join the Fight
AFP isn\'t alone. A coalition of major French newspapers announced legal action against social media company X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, alleging that the platform has failed to adequately compensate them for their content. Several leading French news organizations said Tuesday, November 12, that they are suing social media platform X, accusing it of running their content without payment. In a significant legal move, major French news publishers, including well-known names like Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Le Parisien, have initiated legal action against X.
EU Copyright Directive at the Heart of the Case
The lawsuit hinges on the EU\'s copyright directive. Agence France-Presse announced a copyright lawsuit against Elon Musk’s X social media service, citing the reproduction and sharing of its content and the EU’s "neighbouring rights" legislation. This legislation aims to ensure that news publishers receive fair compensation when their content is used online. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how social media platforms handle copyrighted news content across Europe.
MLex Summary: Twitter Faces Legal Action
MLex Summary: Twitter faces a lawsuit from French news agency Agence France-Presse lodged at the Paris Judicial Court over the social-media company\'s refusal to provide information to AFP. This lack of transparency is another key element in the legal battle.
This lawsuit is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates on the case between X and the French news agencies.