French newspapers sue social media platform X over content use

• Several French newspapers have sued X (formerly Twitter) for using their content without payment.
• The media outlets seek compensation and claim X ignored a Paris court ruling.

What happened

Several major French newspapers have sued X (formerly Twitter), accusing the platform of using their content without paying. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, includes Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Les Echos. The newspapers argue that under French law, they are entitled to payment when their content is shared by social media platforms.

They claim that X has refused to negotiate payments, unlike other tech giants such as Google and Meta. X has also ignored a ruling from the Paris Court of Justice in May. The court required the company to disclose financial information to determine the amount owed. The media outlets say that revenue from these rights is essential for maintaining media independence and quality.

This legal action follows a similar move by the AFP news agency in August. The French press seeks fair compensation for content distribution by digital platforms. A hearing is set for 15 May.

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Why it is important

This legal action is important because it highlights the struggle between media outlets and digital platforms over content rights and fair compensation. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) profit from distributing news content. They should share the revenue with the original creators to sustain and protect the press. The French newspapers argue that they are entitled to payment under French law. This law protects their rights when their content is used by digital platforms.

X has refused to negotiate payments. It has also ignored a court ruling, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the digital age. The outcome of this case could set a key precedent for how news organisations are compensated. This is vital for preserving quality journalism and media pluralism. The case is part of a broader effort by the French press to secure fair remuneration from tech giants for using their content.