Content should be at heart of Digital Agenda, following Google infringement case

Share PrintENPA welcomes outcome of the appeal in the Copiepresse vs. Google case

Brussels, 10th May, 2011 – The European newspaper publishers’ association, ENPA, has called on the EU institutions to place respect for value of content at the heart of the EU Digital Agenda. This follows the verdict at the weekend of the Court of Appeal of Brussels, which confirmed a 2007 judgment in a case taken by Belgian newspaper publishers against Google News for copyright infringement.

The outcome of the appeal in the Copiepresse vs. Google case confirmed that Google had reproduced illegally and without prior authorisation a significant part of copyrighted material from the francophone and German language press in Belgium.

ENPA underlined that copyright is essential to the continued investment of newspaper publishers in offering a diverse menu of news, analysis and information for consumers on all platforms. Press content developed by newspapers is too often used by some technology companies, in particular, as an added value for their own commercial services.

Ivar Rusdal, President of ENPA, said “Effective enforcement of copyright is particularly important at a time when newspaper content is increasingly used by third parties without prior authorisation and without remuneration. Following the outcome of the Copiepresse case, we expect that Google will now negotiate with publishers for use of newspaper content.”

ENPA stressed that recognition of the value of content and respect for copyright is more relevant than ever in the digital environment. The association called on EU decision makers to ensure that a sustainable future for newspapers in the digital environment is not undermined by new exceptions to copyright.

Francine Cunningham, Executive Director of ENPA, said: “The EU goal of promoting consumer access on the Internet to the incredible range of European creative and media content can only be achieved by placing value of content at the centre of the EU Digital Agenda. Respect for copyright is crucial for the provision of professional news content in the digital environment and for the quality of public discourse on the Internet.”


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The European Newspaper Publishers' Association (ENPA) promotes the professional interests of the European newspaper publishing industry on all platforms. ENPA members represent over 5,200 national, regional and local newspaper titles, published in 23 European Union Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland. More than 150 million newspapers are sold and read by over 300 million Europeans every day, in addition to many millions of unique daily visits to over 2,500 newspaper websites.



For further information contact:
Francine Cunningham, ENPA Executive Director
Email: francine.cunningham@enpa.be
Tel: +32 (0)2 551 01 90

 

Click here for the contact details of the ENPA staff member.

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