Observed Signal · Nov 4, 2021 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
New law enables Google News return to Spain
Spain is implementing the EU Copyright Directive via a Royal Decree, enabling online news platforms to negotiate individual licensing agreements with publishers instead of paying a blanket statutory fee. The reform allows platforms such as Google to strike tailor-made deals with publishers, a shift from the 2014 ban that led Google News to withdraw from Spain. Google announced in a blog post that Google News will soon be available again for Spanish users, contingent on reviewing the final law; Reuters cited a Google spokesperson saying the launch is likely after the law is assessed. The change drew support from Arsenio Escolar, president of the Spanish publishers association CLABE, who had criticized the earlier regime as unfair and harmful. The rule aligns with existing Google strategies like News Showcase with partners such as Der Spiegel and Die Zeit; Google has pursued licensing deals elsewhere (e.g., Australia). Final decision on the launch depends on the Royal Decree’s final implementation.
Regulatory change enabling platform-publisher licensing; potential impact on news distribution and ad ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Spain implements EU Copyright Directive via Royal Decree enabling platform-publisher licensing agreements.
- The new regime removes a general licensing fee and allows individual agreements between platforms and publishers.
- Google News could return to Spain; Google says launch is likely after reviewing the final law.
- Google News previously closed in Spain in 2014 due to local legislation requiring licensing fees.
- Google News Showcase partners include Der Spiegel and Die Zeit.
- Arsenio Escolar, President of CLABE, welcomed the legislation.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mappedOntology Mapping & Concepts
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