by Google
The amendment to the Copyright Act, which includes Article 13, passed the September vote of the European Parliament with 438 votes in favor and 226 against, and there is a threat that it will be fully approved in January. The amendment of the law could significantly hurt YouTubers who create educational, "how to" or reactionary videos. But also to ordinary internet users who use memes, gifs or screenshots from the web. Changing copyright law would dramatically change the internet as we know it. Before the amendment goes through the final approval process, there is still an opportunity to express your disagreement and fight against the amendment of the law.
ARTICLE 13
After the introduction of GDPR, one would think that nothing worse could come. Believe it or not, there is an even bigger threat from the EU that is coming to the fore and being intensively addressed. This is a new EU proposal regarding copyright reform. Article 13, which is a provision in the proposed EU directive on copyright, is problematic. The provision requires that all content uploaded to the Internet be monitored and potentially removed if found to be similar to existing copyrighted content.
The main idea is to protect the original content of the creators, which in itself sounds like an excellent idea. The problem comes only with the method of its introduction. There would be a kind of censorship on the Internet and only filtered content would reach people. This filtering will prevent content from ever being available, effectively creating a censorship machine that allows big companies to control what we see and do online. Digital rights and freedom of expression online may be at risk.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE AMENDMENT
Viewers living in Europe will lose access to billions of videos from around the world, including content that is already on YouTube, but also all content on the Internet in general. This includes educational videos in the form of various online English lessons, workout tricks and procedures, parodies, artist collaborations, but also ordinary content such as memes. However, the most serious possible consequences of the introduction of Article 13 may be:
1. END OF SHARED CONTENT
The introduction of Article 13 may mean that the age of communicating via gifs and memes is coming to an end. In real life, it could look like Gogo would have to cancel his #HASHTAG show, Rytmus would he would no longer appear in any video clip with Ektor, Eugene and Selassie would never make a parody again, Lucypug and Patra Bene would never release a tutorial, and Duklock would lose his entire reaction channel. And we're only talking about YouTube. Legal regulations could also affect everything from text to coding. Developers would potentially have to stop sharing code online. In addition, the amendment of the law will also disadvantage smaller businesses that cannot afford to create 100% original content for their own promotion.
2. YOU MAY BE SUBJECTED TO MASS SURVEILLANCE
As internet platforms will have to monitor user behavior, we can assume that they will have to resort to using tracking technologies. This means that every step on a particular website will be closely monitored.
3. YOU CAN END UP IN LEGAL TROUBLE
Imagine that you are sitting at your computer, you have created a great meme and you want to share it on social networks. Once uploaded, the file will be flagged and deleted soon. You will receive a private message informing you that your account may be suspended for copyright infringement and that you may end up in court if you continue to infringe copyrights. All because the edited image was originally copyrighted by someone else. Which you can't find out without spending hours looking for the original author of the image. Let's be honest. Is all this necessary because of one innocent meme?
In general, Article 13 would cut off Europe from the latest and greatest moments created and shared on the internet, and we would no longer be able to send a funny gif between loved ones instead of a reply.
CURRENT STATUS AS OF 4/12 .2019
Article 13 is still on the table and at risk of being approved, so it is important that everyone continues to spread the #saveyourinternet message. To date, YouTube creators have created and shared over 6,000 Article 13 videos and generated 200+ million views. A petition was also created Change.org, the success of which is proof of the growing awareness of Article 13. Even the German Minister of Justice, Katharina Barley, agreed to publicly accept the petition. To date, the petition has received over 4,500,000 signatures, and if it gets 5 million signatures, we can talk about the largest petition in history. If you also disagree with Article 13, say so by spreading awareness on social media with #saveyourinternet and signing the petition Change.org before it's too late.
The final vote, which will take place between the European Commission and the European Parliament, is estimated for the period between March 25 and April 18. If Article 13 is approved in the final vote, the next step will be its implementation into the legislation of the EU member states and the implementation of the directive in practice.
HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AMENDMENT?
Not all MEPs support the EP's approach to Article 13, many others are not even aware of what is happening because they are not present in key committees. Therefore, all is not lost and every voice can influence the future of the Internet. Reaching out to national MEPs by email, phone or social media can help get their attention and encourage them not to approve Article 13.
The most accessible way for the public to prevent the adoption of the directive is to sign petition for a free internet.
YouTube is also calling on all creators and viewers to voice their opinion on Article 13 and join the Free Internet Campaign called #SaveYourInternet. The campaign is managed and funded by Copyright for Creativity and supported by organizations that care about keeping the internet a free and creative place. The most important facts about Article 13 are published on the website saveyourinternet.eu, where, among other things, you can find information on how many MPs from your country voted for the amendment of the law and how much against. You can also join the campaign Say No to Online Censorship or #SaveTheMeme.
If the amendment to the copyright law is approved, the Internet will no longer look as we know it. Therefore, if you disagree with Article 13, express your opinion out loud.
Sources:
www.youtube.com/saveyourinternet
www. youtube-creators.googleblog.com
