Wikipedia closes in several countries to oppose copyright directive

Since July 3, Internet users no longer have access to the Italian version of Wikipedia, which closed in protest against
the new European directive on copyright. The Italian initiative seems to inspire other communities: this Wednesday, July 4, the Spanish, Estonian and Latvian versions of the collaborative encyclopedia were also inaccessible to mark their opposition to the project, reports
Numerama Wednesday, July 4.

The reader who tries to access Wikipedia in one of these four countries is automatically redirected to a press release. This document explains the reasons for the temporary unavailability of the site and informs the reader about the effects of this proposal for a directive on copyright in the digital single market.

A harmful reform?

Currently under discussion European Parliament, copyright reform is hotly criticized. In particular, two provisions raise concerns. Firstly Article 11, which aims to create a "neighboring right" for newspaper publishers to enable them to be remunerated for the resumption of their content, even partial.

Secondly, Article 13, which plans to require the platforms to automatically filter the content posted online. These two provisions may complicate the task of Internet users wishing to update the pages of Wikipedia.

Accessible in France for the moment

For the moment, the French version of Wikipedia remains accessible to Internet users. However, a message from the community on July 4th warns the reader: if the European directive is approved, "it may be impossible to share a newspaper article (…). Wikipedia itself might close. "

The proposed directive has not yet been finally adopted. This will require copyright reform to be approved by all 751 MEPs. The vote is scheduled in plenary on Thursday, July 5.

>> To read also: You may soon be able to post any more GIF or memes on the Internet freely

>> To read also: VIDEO. What is the RGPD, the new European law?