Wert believes that Google is ahead because the rate should still … – HOME

Minister José Ignacio Wert, at a hearing in the Senate. / JuanJo Martin (EFE)

The Education Minister José Ignacio Wert, believes that Google is ahead in making the decision to close Google News in Spain because the amount of financial compensation to the editors by aggregators, contained in the Copyright Act, yet should be negotiated between the parties. Despite the entry into force of the law in January 2015, there are aspects that are “pending regulatory development” for practical application, said the minister. The rule speaks of a “fair compensation” to publishers, but does not specify what amount is concerned, and that is what can still be negotiated.

“For the application of this compensation we would be outstanding the regulatory development that mark the way to negotiate between aggregators and media holders of intellectual property rights, how you can get to such compensation, and the decision of Google is ahead of the game development, “stressed Wert.

This was pointed out in the halls of Congress, after news that the search will close Google News next December 16 in response to the inalienable right to financial compensation contained in the aforementioned law, which takes effect in January 2015, for publishers by news aggregators that index their content.

Asked about the damage Google’s decision may generate smaller Internet media, the minister added that they regard the decommissioning of aggregation by any aggregator no advantage for him, either because they would like to obtain compensation or because they think that reduction of traffic is bad for him, you can always negotiate with the aggregator.

Education Sources have indicated that this negotiation does not mean in any way that can give up that right by law is “indispensable” but associations media, mainly AEDE (Association of Spanish Newspaper Publishers) and aggregators should be made to negotiate the terms of this compensation, but shall always be a minimum remuneration. The same sources added that this condition is intended to avoid the prosecution process as has happened in countries like Germany, where the law does not specify that could not resign collect call rate Google .

The minister has said that the “sole purpose” of this provision is “fairly” to “protect the media, ie the media are the beneficiaries of that compensation.” “Our belief, which is in line with other laws, and what you want to do the EU, is that this issue must be resolved as a balanced consideration of the rights of both parties,” he insisted.

The Education, Culture and Sports has said that the purpose of this fee is to protect the media. In any case, he assured that this decision is not going to involve users restricting access to news on the Internet. He also insisted that users will not have to pay any compensation for the use of these services or going to see private information.

On the other hand, Wert stressed than Google is a “business decision”, in which the government should not enter, as it is the policy of a company.

Finally, Wert recalled that at the EU level, the new Commissioner responsible just to assert, referring to Google, that to the extent there is a use by the finder of a material subject to copyright it must pay fair compensation.