Laura Houlgatte, Chair of Creativity Works!, a coalition of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe, said: “Members of the European Parliament have missed an opportunity to translate the declaration “What is illegal offline is also illegal online” into concrete actions.

Ms Houlgatte welcomed the intention to broaden the scope of the “Know Your Business Customer” principle, as many Member States requested, but said that “other critical issues for the creative and cultural industries which were supported by a significant number of MEPs, such as the immediate removal of illegal content or an effective trusted flagger system, should also be further discussed and rectified during the trilogue negotiations. In Ms Houlgatte’s view, “Europe can still deliver a safer online environment for its consumers and businesses”.

The coalition now urges co-legislators to “show ambition and reach compromises that will finally deliver a safer online environment for consumers and businesses without creating any new liability exemptions for intermediaries”. To read the response in full, click here.