Several French newspapers are taking social media X (previously Twitter) to court for using their journalistic content without compensation, according to a report by Reuters.
The publications, including Le Figaro, Le Monde and Le Parisien, claim that X owes them payments under their ancillary rights, which allow compensation to media organisations by digital platforms for the distribution of their content.
The newspapers have also accused X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, of not complying with an order issued by the Paris Court of Justice in May directing the platform to release information necessary to determine the total amount owed.
“The revenue from these rights, with the investment that it would enable its beneficiaries to make, is a boost to the plurality, independence and quality of the media, which are essential for freedom of expression and the right to information in our democratic society,” the publications said in a joint statement.
Musk, on the other hand, has been critical of such legislation. In August 2023, the billionaire objected to the demands for compensation for the use of its content put forth by the French news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP).
A hearing has been scheduled for May 15, 2025. X has yet to release a statement on the legal action.
The European Union (EU) has established “neighbouring rights”, a form of copyrights, mandating remuneration for news publishers by digital platforms if they use their content. In 2019, France became the first EU state to enact this law to preserve the publishing rights of its press.
Google and Meta have already signed licensing agreements with French authorities for the use of journalistic content produced by French publishers.
