As the Australian government continues to flesh out the News Media Bargaining Code, the French publisher industry group has reached an agreement with Google to negotiate payments for news content.
Announced overnight, The Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale (APIG) and Google France revealed a new framework in which Google will negotiate individual licensing agreements with certified publishers.
Payments will be negotiated based on factors such as the contribution to political and general information, the daily volume of publications or the monthly Internet audience.
The money will go directly to publishers and will cover the copyright licenses required for publishers to participate in the Google News Showcase.
“After long months of negotiations, this agreement is an important step, which marks the effective recognition of the neighboring right of press publishers and the start of their remuneration by digital platforms for the use of their online publications,” said APIG president Pierre Louette.
Google France managing director Sébastien Missoffe highlighted Google’s committment to the deal.
“This agreement is a major step for Google. It confirms our commitment to press editors within the framework of the French law on neighboring rights. It opens up new perspectives for our partners, and we are happy to contribute to their development in the digital age and support journalism,” Missoffe said.
Earlier last year the French competition authority ordered Google to negotiate payment terms with media businesses in good faith, pointing to the ‘neighbouring right’ rules that exist under EU copyright rules.
Google unsuccessfully appealed the decision in October.
