Free internet still possible as European Parliament votes for more scrutiny over copyright bill

Today, the European Parliament decided by to have greater scrutiny over a law that severely threatens how people participate and express themselves online. The European Commission's proposed directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market would see the introduction of a link tax and automatic upload filters and will likely stop people from posting photos, videos and sharing links to news articles as they do today.

Julia Reda shadow rapporteur for Copyright Reform for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament said:

"Our protests have worked, the European Parliament will now have an opportunity to address the concerns of more than 850,000 citizens over upload filters and a 'link tax' that threaten how we share content online. The Parliament will now get the chance to update copyright rules in a way that protects authors while safeguarding freedom of expression. The Greens/EFA group will continue to defend a free internet." 
 
Heidi Hautala, Greens/EFA coordinator in the Legal Affairs committee of the European Parliament, comments:

"It's vital that legislative proposals of this scope and importance are discussed not just in committees but in the plenary, this is an integral part of good law making. EU law must be as clear and precise as possible and on legislation which could change how we interact online deserves the proper scrutiny of the full Parliament. Copyright enforcement does not have to take place at the expense of fundamental rights. In the plenary we must find a balance that secures both."