AFP is suing Twitter over news distribution payments, which Elon Musk finds bizarre.

AFP is suing Twitter over news distribution payments, which Elon Musk finds bizarre.

Agence France-Presse Takes Legal Action Against Twitter for News Sharing Payment

Agence France-Presse (AFP), the world’s oldest news agency, has decided to take legal action against Twitter, now known as X, for its refusal to discuss payment for distributing news content. This move adds to the growing list of digital platforms facing legal challenges related to compensation for sharing news. The dispute revolves around French copyright law, specifically “neighboring rights,” which grants news publishers the right to be paid by digital platforms that reproduce their work.

AFP hopes that a Paris court will issue an injunction compelling X to provide “all the necessary elements required for assessing the remuneration.” The news agency is determined to advocate for the fair distribution of the value generated by the sharing of news content, citing its commitment to the cause even four years after the adoption of the neighboring rights law.

This legal action comes in the wake of Google being fined 500 million euros in 2021, the largest fine imposed by the French Competition Authority, for failing to negotiate compensation with the press in good faith. It seems that digital platforms are increasingly feeling the pressure to address this issue and find sustainable solutions.

The response from X’s CEO, Elon Musk, was rather bemusing. In a post on the platform, he commented, “This is bizarre. They want us to pay them for traffic to their site where they make advertising revenue and we don’t!?” Musk’s reaction highlights the differing perspectives and challenges faced by news publishers and digital platforms when it comes to remuneration.

It’s worth noting that this lawsuit comes at a time when Meta (formerly Facebook) has taken the step of disabling news availability in Canada. This move is in response to a newly enacted law that requires tech companies to pay media organizations if they host Canadian news on their platforms. The landscape surrounding news sharing and payment models is rapidly evolving, prompting digital platforms to reassess their strategies.

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The battle between traditional news publishers and digital platforms is rooted in the changing dynamics of the media landscape. As news consumption increasingly moves online, news agencies such as AFP are seeking fair compensation for the value their content generates. Meanwhile, digital platforms are grappling with how to balance the interests of news publishers with their own revenue models.

Ultimately, the resolution of this lawsuit will have broader implications for the relationship between news publishers and digital platforms. The outcome could set a precedent for how news content is handled and paid for, not just in France but globally. As the legal wheels are set in motion, it will be interesting to observe the developments and the impact they may have on the future of news distribution and monetization.

• elon musk
• Media
• Twitter