The European Parliament has backed draft proposals that could require internet platforms like YouTube and Facebook to pre-filter uploaded videos, images and music, bringing to a close one of the fiercest lobbying wars in Brussels over a revamp of copyright rules.
MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday voted in favour of updating rules designed to give authors, publishers and musicians more rights to get paid for their content in the digital age.
The vote — which was approved by 438 votes to 226 — paves the way for MEPs to open negotiations with EU governments about a final text to update copyright rules.
The vote came after lawmakers decided in June to give themselves more time to come up with a position following a fierce lobbying battle that has pitted content creators — like Sir Paul McCartney — against internet freedom campaigners, such as Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.
Under a re-drafted version of the rules, the smallest platforms will be excluded from obligations to pre-filter user uploaded content.
Julia Reda, a German MEP and critic of the filtering obligations, said the new version made only “cosmetic changes”.
“This law leaves sites and apps no choice but to install error-prone upload filters” said Ms Reda. “Anything we want to publish will need to first be approved by these filters, and perfectly legal content like parodies and memes will be caught in the crosshairs.”
Another controversial part of the text — called a neighbouring right — will force Google and others to pay news websites for hosting hyperlinks to their content. Critics say it is a “link tax”.
Axel Voss, a centre-right German MEP in charge of finding a compromise in parliament, said it would help save Europe’s creative industries and media organisations.
“I am convinced that once the dust has settled, the internet will be as free as it is today, creators and journalists will be earning a fairer share of the revenues generated by their works, and we will be wondering what all the fuss was about,” he said.
The rule changes will only be finalised after they have been agreed with EU governments.
