The UK will not implement the controversial Article 13 EU Copyright Directive after it leaves the European Union, it has been revealed.
Announcing the decision, Universities and Science Minister Chris Skidmore suggested that the law threatens the fair use of the internet.
The law, which Google said could “change the web as we know it”, states that sharing platforms such as YouTube could be held liable if users upload copyright-protected movies and music.
Commenting on the approval of Article 13 last year, then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “With today’s agreement, we are making copyright rules fit for the digital age.
“Europe will now have clear rules that guarantee fair remuneration for creators, strong rights for users, and responsibility for platforms.”
While policymakers say Article 13 is a positive move, many have opposed the measure. Critics say the laws would make it almost impossible to upload or share video content with even the smallest trace of copyright – signalling the end of ‘memes’, song remixes, movie reviews or popular ‘reaction videos’.
While EU member states have until 07 June 2021 to implement the new legislation, the UK’s transitional period will have ended, leaving the country with no obligation to follow suit.
Despite the decision being widely welcomed, artist protection group, the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS), said the move will “erode the rights and earning potential” of creators.
“At a time when the UK creative industries are growing to unprecedented levels, we are also seeing a persistent decline in the earnings of professional authors, representing a real-terms decrease of 42 per cent since 2005,” said deputy chief executive Barbara Hayes.
She added: “Chapter 3 of the directive includes the necessary means to redress this imbalance by placing a fairer value on creativity.”
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