'VPNs are lawful technical tools,' says EU Court in landmark copyright ruling (techradar.com)

Article summary

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that VPN providers are not liable for copyright infringement, even if users use them to bypass geo-blocking restrictions. This decision stems from a case involving the online publication of Anne Frank's diary, which is still under copyright in the Netherlands but in the public domain in other countries. The court recognized VPNs as lawful technical tools and placed the burden on publishers to maintain effective geo-blocking measures. The ruling sets a precedent for the use of VPNs in the EU and their relationship with copyright laws.

Main themes

• VPN and copyright law
• Geo-blocking and online publishing
• Digital rights and freedoms
• EU court rulings
• Online censorship and regulation

What commenters say

• The EU court's ruling on VPNs and copyright infringement is a victory for digital rights and common sense, as it recognizes the legitimate use of VPNs as a technical tool.
• Governments should not be able to block websites without judicial review, as this can lead to censorship and undermine the open internet.
• The French regulators' decision to block a website without a court order is an example of overreach and inconsistent application of regulatory censorship.
• The use of VPNs to bypass geo-blocking restrictions is not a legitimate reason to hold VPN providers liable for copyright infringement, as the burden lies with publishers to maintain effective geo-blocking measures.
• The EU court's decision may set a precedent for future cases involving VPNs and online censorship, and could influence the development of internet regulation in the EU.
• The ruling highlights the tension between the need to protect intellectual property rights and the need to preserve the open and free nature of the internet.
• Some argue that governments have the right to regulate and block online content, while others see this as a form of censorship that undermines the principles of the internet.
• The use of VPNs is a legitimate way to protect online privacy and security, and should not be restricted or banned by governments.