The social network X.com, owned by Elon Musk, is facing a lawsuit from Agence France-Presse (AFP). This lawsuit follows accusations from the agency of delaying the provision of essential information regarding the use of its content on the platform. The case raises crucial questions related to neighboring rights and the regulation of digital content.
Accusations against X.com
The AFP accuses the social network of failing to comply with a court ruling issued in May 2024, which stated that X.com had to provide precise data regarding its consumption of the agency’s content. This information includes statistics on the number of impressions of tweets, user engagement, and advertising revenue generated. If non-compliance occurs, a penalty of 2,000 euros per day would be applied.
Legal context: the European directive on copyright
This judicial conflict originates from the European directive on copyright adopted in 2019. This legislation requires digital platforms to compensate publishers and news agencies for the use of their content. In this context, the AFP seeks to establish financial compensation for the use of its content between 2019 and 2022, thereby laying a cornerstone for the media industry and copyright.
The requirements of the court and X.com’s response
The court clearly stipulated the data that X.com must provide, aiming to establish a fair compensation basis for the AFP’s content. However, the platform found these requests difficult to fulfill and even appealed the initial decision ordering the transmission of the data, further exacerbating the conflict between the agency and the social network.
The position of the lawyers
During the hearing that took place at the judicial court of Paris, the lawyers for each party presented their arguments. Maître Alexandra Neri, representing X.com, asserted that her client had acted in good faith, explaining that the requested documents had been submitted to the competent authorities as early as August 2024. This was disputed by AFP, which pointed out that the information was only provided belatedly, justifying its request for a penalty of 266,000 euros.
A major issue for the future of neighboring rights
This legal confrontation could set a significant precedent for the enforcement of neighboring rights, a crucial mechanism aimed at ensuring fair compensation for content creators facing digital giants. The court’s decision on this matter could influence future relations between news agencies and social media platforms, either withdrawing or reinforcing protections for daily content.
A mediation proposed by the court
The judge proposed mediation between the parties to avoid a lengthy and costly trial. Such a solution could transform the dynamics of this dispute. However, it is important to note that X.com is already contesting the very principle of compensation for the use of content under neighboring rights, raising the question of whether an amicable solution can truly be found.
The decision pending
As the case unfolds, the court’s decision is expected on March 14. In the meantime, the implications of this case for the media industry and the management of copyright on digital platforms cannot be underestimated, and it could well have long-term repercussions on the relationship between content and technology.
