by Google
What's up with the new law that applies to creators of videos on social networks? What needs to be done and what is our position at Vidad?
You've probably noticed the information about the new law from the Media Services Council and your reaction was probably mainly confusion and maybe even anger. We at Vidad reacted similarly, but we do everything we can to ensure that our partners and followers are properly informed and can peacefully create what they enjoy.
Uproar among creators
When the Media Services Council published a statement that video creators on YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok must report their channels to the regulator, or pay a 260 euros fee, there was a stir among creators. But let's explain everything with a calm head.
After the announcement, information began to spread on social networks that everyone who adds any video content to social networks will have to pay a meaningless fee and report their activities to the regulator. But who does this obligation actually apply to?
The notification obligation only applies to those who publish videos with the aim of generating profit. Publishing videos as a hobby, sharing moments with family, publishing video lessons, streaming (without recording), etc., no obligation applies to these categories and there is no need to do anything. If you earn something from the videos, but it's a small amount and you create videos occasionally and not with the aim of generating profit, you also don't have to report anything. (Currently, it is not defined what a small amount is and it is the subject of further research. We will let you know!)
Legal vs. natural person
- If you are a legal entity and you also put videos on your website, you must pay a fee and apply for authorization. (However, this is still the subject of further research, as it is not precisely defined what happens if it is only an embed link, i.e. a shared video, e.g. from YouTube, placed on the web.)
- If you are a legal entity and you only add to platforms like YouTube, etc., the same applies as above, i.e. request authorization and pay a fee.
- If you are a natural person and you publish videos on your website, the same applies as above.
- If you are a natural person and you only add videos to video sharing platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and others, you only need to notify us. There is no fee. (This is how the Media Services Council defines it directly, but in our opinion it will not be easy to determine in practice)
Will I get a fine?
The Council states that the obligation must be fulfilled no later than the day of commencement of activity and that it was generally accepted that notification or request authorization was necessary by the end of the year. The Council's goal is not to sanction, but to act as an educational tool. Therefore, they will not impose fines for the time being.
Our opinion
In our opinion, awareness of the new law, which comes into force on January 1, was minimal. We are taking note of the reactions of creators who share the same opinion. We were recently at PS:Digital Breakfast, where this topic was also discussed, and when the moderator asked who had fulfilled this obligation by the end of the year, everyone started smiling.
We do not think that this will help cultivate the business of influencers on social networks. On the contrary, it will only unnecessarily disrupt the peaceful functioning of creators, most of whom do not understand why they should report their activities or apply for authorization.
We do not expect anything beneficial from registering with the Media Services Council. We do not see any positive short-term or long-term effects on the business of video creators.
We consider the whole thing to be a very inappropriate solution to controlling creators and we do not agree that someone should have to pay a meaningless fee or report their activities to the Council. We do not understand how and who chose the fee of 260 euros and why it is so high. We do not understand why it is necessary to pay the fee before obtaining authorization. We are critical of the large gaps and shortcomings that this law establishes. We do not understand why video creators in particular must report their activities or apply for authorization, since these obligations do not exist in other business sectors.
This issue, concerning Slovak creators, is constantly evolving, changing and supplementing, so expect more information!
