PRESS RELEASE

-Brussels, 8 October 2020-

News Media Europe welcomes today’s decision of the Paris Court of Appeal, confirming the obligation for Google to negotiate in good faith with press publishers to make genuine remuneration proposals on the basis of the press publisher right.

Wout van Wijk, Executive Director of News Media Europe, reacted: “We are pleased to see confirmation that Google does not sit above the law and must push efforts for honest remuneration proposals to press publishers. We hope the decision sets a precedent that the European press publisher right is a genuine and enforceable negotiation instrument to rebalance out relations between press content producers and online distributors.”

The Court found that Google’s probable anti-competitive behaviour gave sufficient ground to the interim measures. The infringement was sufficiently characterized and serious so as to affect the sustainability of the press sector and its digital transition. Finally, the emergency of the situation justified the Authority’s intervention, which was necessary and proportionate.

News Media Europe congratulates French publishers for their resilience during the negotiations and judicial proceedings.

About News Media Europe:

News Media Europe (NME) represents the progressive news media industry in Europe – over 2500 European news brands in print or online, and also on radio and tv. NME is committed to maintaining and promoting the freedom of the press, to upholding and enhancing the freedom to publish, and to championing the news brands which are one of the most vital parts of Europe’s creative industries.

For further information please contact:

Wout van Wijk, Executive Director, wout.vanwijk@newsmediaeurope.eu