European Union: Copyright

Germany's highest civil court has ruled that an unlicensed sample from Kraftwerk's 1977 track "Metall auf Metall" used in a hip hop song qualifies as lawful pastiche under EU copyright law. This landmark decision, concluding a nearly 30-year legal dispute, establishes new parameters for when sampling can constitute creative engagement rather than mere copying, though it stops short of providing blanket protection for all unauthorized samples.

À l'occasion de sa campagne estivale 2026, l'Union des fabricants (Unifab) a multiplié les actions de prévention auprès du grand public afin de mieux faire connaître les risques associés à l'achat de produits contrefaisants. Déployée dans plusieurs stations touristiques françaises, cette opération avait pour objectif d'aider les consommateurs à identifier les indices permettant de distinguer un produit authentique d'une copie illicite

El Tribunal de Justicia de la Unión Europea ha establecido criterios fundamentales para determinar cuándo un texto publicado en redes sociales puede considerarse una obra protegida por derechos de propiedad intelectual. La sentencia analiza los requisitos de originalidad y creatividad necesarios, así como las excepciones aplicables cuando los medios de comunicación reproducen contenidos sobre temas de actualidad.

Between originality and individual character: protecting design objects under EU copyright and design law

On 30 July 2026, the New Law 5324/20261 (the Law) was published, which introduces practical and targeted amendments to Greece's two principal statutes governing copyright and collective rights management, i.e. Laws 2121/19932 and 4481/20173. The amendments are intended to improve the operation of the collective management system, enhance legal certainty and facilitate the administration and distribution of copyright-related revenues in Greece.

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Maltese law creates a complex framework for determining intellectual property ownership when employees develop creative works outside standard working hours. The analysis extends beyond simple distinctions between work time and personal time, examining contractual duties, resource usage, and the relationship between creations and employer business activities. Even when employees successfully establish independent ownership, significant legal constraints may still apply where confidential information or trad

A French court has taken a significant step in protecting artists' rights against AI voice cloning, ordering the disclosure of a YouTube channel operator's identity after a comedian discovered his voice was being used without authorization in AI-generated podcasts. This preliminary ruling addresses the growing challenge of AI-generated content that mimics human voices and its impact on performers' neighboring rights.

France is considering a mandatory financial contribution from AI providers to support creators whose works are used to train artificial intelligence systems. The proposal, recommended in a parliamentary report, would require AI companies exceeding certain revenue thresholds to pay into a fund managed by ARCOM, with potential reductions for those who negotiate licensing agreements directly with authors.